Eva Mendes Talks ‘Clear Boundary’ Around Kids’ Social Media Use
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actress Eva Mendes just shared why she’s keeping her kids 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,” Mendes captioned a GIF of herself shaking her head disapprovingly.
Her followers shared their thoughts on her rules in the comments section, with one writing, “Your [sic] smart @evamendes. I have limited it a lot for my now 10-year-old but feel like your way is better.”
The actress replied, “I’m just sharing what I feel now, but I know it’s gonna get harder as they get older. So, I hear ya, mama. I let my kids use the iPad to make movies and watch films I’ve downloaded, but I don’t have internet access on the iPad. Lotsa love your way, fellow mama!”
Another person pointed out that, in today’s world, the internet is necessary.
“Yes, true, but in my house, children do not have access to the Internet,” Mendes wrote back. “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.”
She added that she’s not sure when she’ll change the rules for her kids, writing, “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.”
Movieguide® frequently discusses why parents should understand their child’s developmental stage in regards to media consumption:
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 is mom to two daughters — Esmeralda, 8, and Amada, 7 — who she shares with partner Ryan Gosling.
In addition to keeping her children off social media, Mendes is strict about posting any images of them to her own accounts.
“I have always had a clear boundary when it comes to my man and my kids. I’ll talk about them of course, with limits, but I won’t post pictures of our daily life,” Mendes explained. “Since my children are still so little and don’t understand what posting their image really means, I don’t have their consent. And I won’t post their image until they’re old enough to give me consent.”
Mendes isn’t the only Hollywood mom who is wary of social media. Movieguide® previously reported on Jennifer Garner’s rules about the internet for her kids:
Hollywood actress and mother of three, Jennifer Garner, recently revealed why she does not let her children use social media.
Garner is mom to Violet,17, Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11, whom she shares with ex-husband Ben Affleck.
“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,” the actress shared. “But find scientific evidence that matches what I have that says that it’s not good for teenagers, and then we’ll chat.”
Garner said her eldest child is “grateful” that she’s been kept off social media, but the actress admitted it’s “a long haul.”
