- Supermodel Miranda Kerr reveals her husband, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, is “very anti-screens” for their younger children, a shocking stance from a tech industry leader.
- The couple enforces strict limits, allowing occasional family movies but not as a regular weekend activity, highlighting a major concern for modern parents.
- Their 14-year-old son, Flynn, was given a phone and uses Snapchat, but only after the “dam broke” during the pandemic to allow him to connect with friends.
- Spiegel and Kerr emphasize teaching critical thinking to combat online dangers, a strategy other parents are rushing to adopt.
The Irony of a Tech-Free Childhood
In a move that has parents everywhere buzzing, Miranda Kerr has pulled back the curtain on the surprisingly strict screen time rules in her household, co-parented with none other than Snapchat founder and CEO Evan Spiegel. Despite building an empire on digital connectivity, Spiegel is described by Kerr as “very anti-screens for the young ones,” a philosophy that shapes the upbringing of their sons Hart, 7, Myles, 6, and Pierre, 19 months.
During a recent appearance on the The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Show, Kerr explained that her husband’s aversion to screens is rooted in his own childhood. “That’s the way he was raised,” she shared, revealing a deep-seated belief that many might find ironic given his profession.
A Battle Over Family Movie Night
While Spiegel’s stance is firm, Kerr admitted they’ve found a middle ground through compromise. The model values the bonding experience of watching a film together, a sentiment many families share.
“I’ve said to him, ‘Look, something that feels good to me is maybe on the weekend or a special occasion, curling up with the kids… and snuggling up and watching a movie,’” she explained. Spiegel’s response? He agreed, but with a significant catch: “OK, but not every weekend.”
The family does make exceptions for special circumstances. For instance, their son Hart was allowed some screen time during summer break to participate in a program where he learned “a little Minecraft.”
Different Rules for a Teenager
The parenting strategy shifts for Kerr’s eldest son, 14-year-old Flynn, whom she shares with ex-husband Orlando Bloom. Kerr admitted Flynn received a cellphone around age 13, a decision Spiegel previously explained was made when the “dam broke” during the pandemic, as it became the only way for him to connect with his friends.
Interestingly, Flynn’s digital social life revolves almost exclusively around his stepfather’s creation. “They don’t really text,” Kerr noted. “They just Snap each other all day long.”
Navigating Online Dangers
Kerr also praised Snapchat for its built-in safety features, such as the Family Center, which helps parents monitor who their children are communicating with. She highlighted educational programs on the platform that she and Flynn watch together.
“It explains very simply what could go wrong or how to prevent it and when to reach out to someone if you feel like something’s off,” she said. This educational approach is a cornerstone of their parenting. Spiegel himself has stressed the importance of teaching Flynn to use his “critical thinking skills” to question the information he encounters online, wisely noting, “because of course not everything on the internet is true.”