The internet has transformed the adoption process by providing vast amounts of information and aiding communication between adoptive families and birth parents. It allows easier access to adoption resources, facilitates social connections, and raises awareness for events such as National Adoption Day. While there are risks of misinformation, reputable online sources have made the internet a crucial tool in navigating adoption.

1. Adoption and the Internet
The Internet has changed the way we do countless things, from reading the news to watching
television. It has revolutionized many processes and allows us to access information on a
level not seen before. This is also the case for adoption, which has seen tremendous use of
the Internet for research and communication.
A study by the Donaldson Adoption Institute found that using the Internet for adoption-related
purposes was greatly beneficial. With the ability to access unprecedented amounts of
information on subjects such as placing a child for adoption, the cost of adoption, the
difference between international and domestic adoption and much more, the Internet has
become invaluable. There are countless websites dedicated to informing potential adoptive
couples about the adoption process and what parents can expect. The Internet, with its many
websites and services, is helping make adoption less complex, worrisome, and difficult to
understand for those who want to get involved.
Social media has allowed some birth parents to stay in touch with their children, and see how
they are doing. It allows for a level of connectivity not seen between child and parent before
the Internet. Even without intruding, family members can get a sense of how their birth family
is doing. Of course, this only works if there is an established agreement between families on
how much contact the adopted child and their birth parents will have.
Events such as National Adoption Day have gained much more attention on the Internet than
elsewhere, too. The Internet and social media have allowed the unofficial holiday to get its

2. name and word out to people through sites such as Facebook and Twitter, spreading their
cause across the world and encouraging adoption in November. Like any other cause,
sharing on Facebook will eventually garner a good deal of attention.
While not everything about the Internet is great for adoption – the same study found some
imposter sites – the pros have certainly made it a valuable tool and resource. Because of this,
it is best those searching for adoption information make sure to read from sites and services
that are trusted. There is quite a lot of good information out there, but there are always people
looking to take advantage of others.
The widespread usage of the Internet will make things like online adoption more feasible in
the future. For now, research seems to be its main use, but the growing use of services and
events like National Adoption Day will make the Internet the premier service for all adoptionrelated matters.
About Providence Place
Providence Place of San Antonio, Texas is a nonprofit organization offering domestic,
international, older child and embryo adoption services, vocational training for adults with
disabilities and working with other nonprofit organizations in the San Antonio area. To learn
more about the work they do or to schedule a tour of their 25-acre campus, visit their website
ProvPlace.org or contact them today.