A recent Nielsen Wire study on social media investigated the different uses between social media users with children and those without, and found that parents are more likely than non-parents to use social media for almost everything.

Meanwhile, a Disney Online survey of American mums last year found technology and the internet are helping to make mums’ lives more manageable, enabling them to spend more quality time with their families.

The survey revealed mums spend an average of 24 hours a week online, with 87 per cent turning to the internet and 55 per cent using social networking to manage their lives and stay better connected.

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Ballarat social media expert Janelle Yates, the communications director of Mini Mammoth Creative Co-op, says more Australian parents and expectant parents are spending time online, with most turning to social spaces such as parenting blogs and forums.

Yates says parents can get the most out of using social media by being part of a group or online community.

“Social media has brought back a sense of community that was lost over the last couple of decades,” she says.

“These days, it is easy to find people that share your interests or dislikes with the click of a ‘Like’ button.

“Groups of people are communicating everywhere about world politics, religion, music and parenting, just to name a few subjects.

“Single parents, stay at home parents and regionally isolated families can connect and share experiences as though they were neighbours, while living in different towns, cities or countries.”

Parents can also use social media to tap into promotion and employment opportunities, building friendships, catching up on celebrity gossip direct from the celebs themselves, and to obtain news and information faster.

Yates says Fairfax Media’s Essential Baby website has become the largest online parenting community in Australia, providing information on everything from conception, pregnancy, birth, baby, toddler, kids and parenting to women’s lifestyle.