Adoption and the Internet
As adoption has become more commonplace, its online presence has also increased exponentially. These days you can find anything and everything about adoption on the internet. No matter which side of the adoption triad—birth parent, adoptive parent, or adoptee—you find yourself, you can find helpful and useful information about adoption online.
But along with all the positive things you can find to help you in your specific situation, you also need to be wary of some of the information you’ll find. Adoption scams have become more prominent as more adoptions are finalized and as more people are considering adoption as a viable option.
As great as the internet is for the promoting of adoption—and making it more accessible—it also provides the way for many people to be treated poorly, scammed, and taken advantage of. Throughout this section and the corresponding pages, you’ll learn more about the following:
Online Family Listing Sites: Whether you’re a potential adoptive parent or you are considering placing your child with an adoptive family, online family listing sites are great resources for your adoption journey. Even after the adoption has taken place, you can use family listing sites to search for that specific family member and reunite with him or her. While there are many from which to choose, there are ample free online family listing sites. Give a few of the free sites a try first—just to get a feel for the community.
The Adoption Scam: All members of the adoption triad are susceptible to adoption scams. Because adoption is an emotional topic and issue, it can be difficult to separate yourself from a scam—one that makes promises which are too good to be true. This section will help you to understand the types of adoption scams currently out there. Once you can identify potential adoption scams, you can move forward with peace of mind and confidence in your journey.
Things to Watch for: Being aware of what exactly to look for while researching adoption online can provide you with the knowledge and fortitude to make safe decisions. It can help prepare you for when you do come across an adoption scam—and you can identify it as such. Even if you feel that the likelihood of encountering an adoption scam is minimal, it can help protect you in the future.
Internet Safety in Adoption: Not only is internet safety important for you to learn and understand, but it is also important for your children. Protect them and yourself against scammers and frauds. This section will provide you with details to protect yourself, your family, and your important relationships.
The internet is a great resource for all those in the adoption triad. Make good use of it. But, be wary of potential pitfalls, frauds, and scams. Then you can move forward through your adoption journey and continue to progress through life.
