Kate Winslet on social media and children: “It has a huge impact on young women’s self-esteem”

By MiNDFOOD

Kate Winslet on social media and children: “It has a huge impact on young women’s self-esteem”
Kate Winslet urges parents to curb their children's social media speaking of the damage it can do to self esteem.

Kate Winslet, whose latest role sees her star in the new film about Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has called on parents to rethink their stance on social media for their children.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Winslet lamented the fact that parents were “losing control” of their children who often succumbed to the external pressure to look and be a certain way.

This pressure was more often than not, spurred on by social media.

According to Winslet, contrived images of an imaginary life shown through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, are becoming responsible for the way youth view their own self-worth.

“It has a huge impact on young women’s self-esteem, because all they ever do is design themselves for people to like them,” Winslet told the Sunday Times.

“And what comes along with that? Eating disorders. And that makes my blood boil. And is the reason we don’t have any social media in our house.”

Winslet, who is mother to Mia (15), Joe (11) and Bear (22 months), says she encourages her children to get outside as much as possible, and limit their time spent on tablets or phones.

“Let your kids climb trees. Take the device out of their hand. Play Monopoly!” she urged. “You go to a cafe and grown-ups are at one end of the table and children the other, on devices, not looking up.”

Whilst she is not advocating a total social media or technology ban, she is urging parents to curb the habit – stating it’s all about moderation.

“I think parents are losing control,” she said. “Especially if they’re busy parents. It’s really hard to keep your finger on the pulse.”

“It takes every member of a family to be a member, and there are too many interruptions these days — and devices are a huge interruption.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login