Academy Award-winning actress Penélope Cruz has recently opened up about her concerns regarding the harmful impact of social media on young people, specifically teenagers. In a conversation with America’s ELLE magazine, Cruz described social media as a “cruel experiment” on developing minds, emphasizing the ease with which youngsters can be manipulated online. The actress, who shares two children with her husband, Javier Bardem, revealed that they have taken the drastic step of banning their 12-year-old son Leo and 10-year-old daughter Luna from platforms like TikTok.
Cruz expressed her worries about the potential long-term effects of social media on young, impressionable minds, stating, “It’s so easy to be manipulated, especially if you have a brain that is still forming. And who pays the price? Not us, not our generation, who, maybe at 25, learned how a BlackBerry worked. It’s a cruel experiment on children, on teenagers.”
In addition to their decision to impose a social media ban on their children, Cruz and Bardem have also opted to keep their kids phone-free, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding their children’s privacy. The couple believes that it should ultimately be their children’s decision if they choose to have a job that is more exposed to the public, and they plan to discuss this with them when they are ready.
Aside from her personal life, Cruz also expressed admiration for her husband’s diverse talents, describing him as an “incredible” husband with skills that include singing, dancing, and remarkable impressions of celebrities like Mick Jagger and Al Pacino.
The actress, who has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Golden Globe Awards, emphasized the importance of waiting until she felt ready to have children, stating, “I was sure it would be the most important thing I would do in my life.”
In conclusion, the issue of social media’s impact on young people is an important one that requires further consideration and discussion. With influential figures like Penélope Cruz speaking out about the potential dangers, it’s clear that there is a growing concern about the effects of social media on the mental and emotional well-being of teenagers.