How the online presence of mothers changed over time during the COVID pandemic: A longitudinal study

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, curfew restrictions increased the additional burden on mothers, some of which was eased by online platforms. Our study aimed to explore Hungarian mothers' online experiences during the pandemic and was informed by the self-determination theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 mothers during two different waves of the pandemic. The interviewees considered online communication as essential to their daily lives, yet often lacked time. At the onset of the pandemic, there was a surge in news consumption, which became overly stressful over time. Online education also fell to mothers, which was just as stressful as the home office. However, the transition to online platforms accelerated by the COVID pandemic also granted mothers broader access beyond traditional constraints of childcare duties that confined them in time and space to their homes, empowering them with newfound flexibility and opportunity, helping mothers navigate relatedness, competence, and autonomy.