Game Changer: Social Media's Role in Adoption and Tracking Your Biological Child

Social media has been a game changer for biological parents who give up their children to adoption.

A woman shared her story on Reddit and I could not stop my tears from flowing.  

She loves her son.  She gave him up for adoption 18 years ago and now he is graduating from high school.  How does she know?  She found him on social media.

Before reading this story I only thought about the power of social media for an adoptive child to find his or her biological parents.  But social media is a game changer for the biological parents, too.

Her story on Reddit made me realize the power of social media especially when it isn't an open adoption or the picture sharing stops.  I understand the needs on both sides.  The adoptive parents want to get on with their lives without the reminder that this child was someone else's child biologically.  Meanwhile, the biological parent needs the reminder that this child is fine and cared for with his new family.

The days of absolutely closed adoption are over and this story proves that.  If you have a name, you can follow people who have open lives on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, websites and blogs.  Parents, biological and adoptive, post pictures of their children.  Many parents are proud and want to share their stories, milestones and blessings.  Those important days such as graduation are shared and biological parents can see those moments play out in video and still photos posted online.

Honestly, I think it's a good thing that people are so open and sharing on social media.  Say what you will about the flaws of social media, but showing biological parents the pictures of their child smiling, happy and cared for... showing them that they made the right decision of adoption... that moment is priceless.  Giving someone peace of mind is a gift...