Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess is a journalist and author renowned for her incisive commentary on internet culture, gender dynamics, and digital life. She serves as a critic-at-large for The New York Times, contributing regularly to both the Arts section and The New York Times Magazine. Hess's work sheds light on the evolving dynamics of digital culture, offering critical insights into how technology shapes our personal and societal experiences.

Prior to joining The New York Times in 2016 as one of the inaugural David Carr Fellows, Hess held various roles in journalism. She was an internet columnist for Slate, an editor at GOOD magazine, and a nightlife and arts columnist for the Washington City Paper. Her writing has also appeared in publications such as ESPN The Magazine, Wired, and Elle.

In 2014, Hess gained significant attention for her essay "Why Women Aren't Welcome on the Internet," published in Pacific Standard. The piece delved into the pervasive issue of misogynistic online harassment and earned her the Sidney Award from The Sidney Hillman Foundation and the 2015 National Magazine Award for Public Interest.

At The New York Times, Hess has explored the intersections of digital culture and society. She created and hosted the video series "Internetting with Amanda Hess," which examined internet phenomena through a critical lens. Her debut book, "Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age," is a memoir and cultural critique that reflects on her experiences during pregnancy and early motherhood, analyzing how digital technologies influence parenting and identity.

Hess is a graduate of George Washington University.