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In an interview with the UK’s Sunday Times, Kate Winslet shares her thoughts on social media and how she thinks parents are losing control.

Kate Winslet is a big believer of limiting internet access to children and believes there needs to be more real human interaction.

Talking about Instagram Kate says, when a young girl shares a selfie, “she’s thinking about what some other person thinks who she doesn’t even know.”

“[This has] a huge impact on young women’s self-esteem because all they will ever do is design themselves for people to like them,” she explained. “And what comes with that? Eating disorders.”

Kate believes apps like Instagram exploit your own private experiences for public approval. “The second you share that memory, that’s not your memory anymore,” the actress said explaining why she won’t allow daughter Mia, 15, an Instagram account. “You’ve given it away.”

The star admits she limits internet time at home and tries to emphasise the importance of real human interaction. “You have to stay in touch with your kids,” she said, noting the usefulness of parental controls.

It can be “an incredibly powerful educational resource.” But Kate worries it’s “completely abused” in this tech-driven age.

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

Hear! Hear! I argue frequently with my 11 year old son when he nags for an Instagram account. Thankfully a recent cyber chat at school by the local police has reinforced what I have been saying.

Do you limit internet access for your children?  Share your thoughts below.

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  • Children should not have social media. 16 is the youngest age that I allowed my kids to use social media and the two that have an Instagram account have their accounts locked so its only available to the people they choose.

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  • I totally agree with all that Kate has said.

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  • Personally I think there should be limits, great read.

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  • I think she certainly has a point in many respects.

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  • We are all entitled to our views – good on you Kate.

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  • I’ve always liked Kate – it’s great when celebrities make comments like these.

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  • I totally agree with Kate. Good on her for setting limits for her children -I believe many adults and children need more limits set to reduce the focus on self our society currently has.

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  • I do agree with Kate a little. It’s hard to place restrictions now when iPads are part of school resources and used for homework/study purposes. Screen/device time is a constant battle we have with our teen son. It is probably the biggest issue we have as a family, actually. A work-in-progress!

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  • I’m a stay at home mum. We have a 10 & 11 year old. But we won’t allow them to have a Mobile phone, Internet access, PlayStation or wii console. I see and read about how their are way too many unsavoury people out in the world. Let alone kids being bullied on social media. It’s bad enough that kids get bullied in the school yard.you might think I’m over protective but life isn’t the same anymore it’s not safe. I still take my children to class and pick them up

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  • Totally agree with Kate. Something I will be careful of as my daughter gets older

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  • I used to but now at 17 and 20 you can’t stop them. You have to hope that your ground rules you set long ago will lie in the back of their minds and keep them safe.


    • Keeping an eye on kids never ever stops. It is being there when they need it and also offering wise words as they get older.

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  • Totally agree with Kate Winslet on this one. Parents need to keep a close eye on what their kids are up to and jump in quickly when they feel something is not right.

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  • My eldest has just gotten herself a youtube account! Another thing for me to monitor, but luckily she is far away from social media. I do worry about what sort of people may be watching her videos but I am keeping an eye on what she is posting.

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  • Kate just keeps on kicking goals! I absolutely 100% agree with her on media and social media and on parents knowing what their kids are doing with technology.

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  • Definitely have to agree with this one!! When I finally allow my children to be on Facebook, I will be closely monitoring their accounts and they will only have family or friends that I know on their account. Facebook will be the only thing they will be allowed to have. With that, they will be very limited on their interaction with Facebook and with the internet in general. We are in the age where nothing is safe anymore, and social media is only used to exploit.
    I fully agree with Kate Winslet!! It truly is great to see celebrities standing up for things that should be stood up for – now if only more of this was seen in the media rather than more celebrities speeding, or doing drugs ect….

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