Chrissy Teigen, John Mayer’s Kids Can’t Join Social Media Until High School

Posted: June 7, 2024

Chrissy Teigen, the renowned model and social media personality, has articulated her strong stance against allowing her children to engage with social media platforms until after high school, emphasizing her desire to prioritize their safety, happiness, and overall well-being. During Aura’s inaugural Digital Parenthood Summit on June 4, Teigen engaged in a candid conversation with Jeffrey Katzenberg, the founder of DreamWorks, shedding light on the challenges and considerations of raising children in the digital age. This highlights the broader concerns about social media effects on youth and the specific social media effects on kids, issues that are increasingly relevant in today’s digital-centric world.

The mother of four, aged 38, shared her cautious approach to managing her children’s screen time, restricting iPad usage to a limited timeframe, particularly on weekends, for her kids Luna, 8, Miles, 6, Esti, 16 months, and Wren, 11 months, whom she shares with her husband, John Legend. Teigen expressed deep concern about her children being exposed to inappropriate advertisements while watching YouTube videos, stressing the need for stringent regulations to safeguard children from such content. This concern is emblematic of the larger issues surrounding social media effects on kids, as exposure to unsuitable content can have detrimental impacts on their development.

Teigen articulated her fervent hope of delaying her children’s entry into the realm of social media until after high school, underscoring her aspiration for them to be shielded from the potential pitfalls and pressures associated with social platforms. She advocated for enhanced rules and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the digital space, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to fostering a secure and nurturing environment for her children. Her views align with the growing discourse on the negative social media effects on youth, including issues like cyberbullying, addiction, and the development of unrealistic self-images.

The model and social media personality highlighted the pervasive influence of social media in shaping unrealistic images and expectations, particularly for young users who may lack the capacity to discern the authenticity of online content. Despite her children’s constrained access to social media, Teigen herself has been open about sharing glimpses of her family life online, finding solace in the support and understanding she receives from her online community, particularly in her role as a mother. This juxtaposition underscores the complex relationship between social media use and personal well-being, a key aspect of the social media effects on kids.

Teigen’s candid remarks shed light on the evolving landscape of digital parenting, emphasizing the need for vigilance and discernment in navigating the complexities of social media and its impact on children. Her unwavering commitment to prioritizing her children’s well-being and her advocacy for enhanced regulations underscore the profound considerations and challenges faced by parents in the digital age. The experiences of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s kids serve as a pertinent example of how parents can approach the digital lives of their children thoughtfully and proactively.

Teigen’s thoughtful insights and proactive approach to managing her children’s exposure to social media reflect a broader societal discourse on the responsibilities and ethical considerations surrounding digital parenting. By openly discussing her concerns and advocating for enhanced regulations, she contributes to a crucial conversation about safeguarding the digital well-being of children and adolescents. Teigen’s emphasis on creating a safe and nurturing environment for her children, while acknowledging the complexities of online platforms, resonates with the growing need for informed and intentional digital parenting practices in an era characterized by pervasive digital connectivity.