‘Too Dangerous’: Why Eva Mendes Keeps Her Kids Off The Internet
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actress Eva Mendes is one of many moms keeping her kids off social media and away from the internet.
“When my kids ask me if they’re old enough to go on the internet, social media or anything requiring wifi,” the actress captioned a video of herself shaking her head and finger.
Mendes and partner Ryan Gosling share two daughters, Esmeralda, 8, and Amada, 7.
In the comments of her post, the actress elaborated on her views on social media for children, writing, “I’m just sharing what I feel now, but I know it’s gonna get harder as they get older.”
One of her followers commented, “We are in the internet century so eventually everyone will need or want to access the internet sorry.”
“Yes true, but in my house, children do not have access to the internet,” Mendes replied. “It’s too dangerous. Just like drinking or voting or getting a driver’s license (etc..) isn’t allowed for children, the internet falls under that category for me. Especially social media.”
Another person asked if Mendes had a specific age for when her daughters could go online.
“Honestly I don’t know, I’ll have to see where it goes. For now, I’m observing them and keeping up with research about how social media can impact a child’s brain. I’m taking it stage by stage,” she explained.
Movieguide® frequently discusses the importance of understanding a child’s stage of development:
Not only do children see the media differently at each stage of development, but also different children are susceptible to different stimuli. As the research of the National Institute of Mental Health revealed many years ago, some children want to copy media violence, some are susceptible to other media influences, some become afraid, and many become desensitized. Just as an alcoholic would be inordinately tempted by a beer commercial, so certain types of media may tempt or influence your child at his or her specific stage of development.
Mendes also shared that her daughters have an iPad “to make movies and watch films” that she has downloaded, but the device does not have internet access.
Mendes and Gosling have always been dedicated to keeping their personal lives private.
The actress talked about why fans don’t see the couple walk red carpets together in an Instagram post, writing that they were “not comfortable” attending those kinds of events together.
“By ‘not comfortable,’ I mean exposing our very private life that we value,” Mendes explained.
Mendes is not the only Hollywood mom who wants to keep her kids offline. Jennifer Garner’s children are also not allowed on social media, a decision she explained during an appearance on the TODAY show.
“I just said to my kids, ‘Tell me — show me the articles that prove that social media is good for teenagers, and then we’ll have the conversation,” Garner said. “But find scientific evidence that matches what I have that says that it’s not good for teenagers, and then we’ll chat.”
Movieguide® previously reported on HOME TOWN star Erin Napier’s decision to keep her daughters off social media:
HOME TOWN star Erin Napier recently revealed the touching reasons why she has not allowed her daughters to have phones or social media…
“I am so thankful I grew up without the crushing pressure of social media,” she continued. “As a highly sensitive artistic kid, the criticism or silence of ‘likes’ would’ve hurt me deeply. It would have shaped me into someone, something else. I read once where we should only accept the criticism of people who know us and love us well enough to deliver it gently and in a way that helps instead of hurts.”
Napier called social media “the harshest criticism of all,” as well as “a distorted and broken and misguided kind of critic who sets these young people without their fully developed emotional minds on the wrong path.”
“Is it mean to keep [my children] from communicating with smart phones? I don’t care,” Napier concluded. “I’m also keeping them from finding a distorted picture of who they think they need to be, porn, hate, the criticism of strangers. Childhood is so short. We’re gonna savor every last second of our girls’ that we can.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
