Eva Mendes has opened up about the strict parenting approach she and Ryan Gosling take with their two daughters, emphasizing their efforts to keep their children away from social media. The actress and mother of two revealed this stance in recent social media posts, showcasing their firm rules around technology use at home.
Since beginning their relationship in 2012 after meeting on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling have maintained a notoriously private family life. Together, they have two daughters, Esmeralda, 11, and Amada, nine, whom they protect from public exposure and online platforms.
Keeping Children Away from Phones and the Internet
Over the past weekend, Mendes posted a GIF on Instagram showing herself firmly shaking her head and gesturing “no,” accompanied by the caption responding to her 11-year-old daughter’s request for a phone. This post resonated with many followers, who expressed agreement and shared similar parenting philosophies in the comments.
“When my 11 year old asks me if she can have a phone,”
Eva wrote, capturing the moment of saying no to her daughter.
Supportive fans commented with statements such as:
“You go girl!! I would wait until she’s older too! So much time for cell phones, only so much time for being a kid!”
“Delay for as long as possible! Kids just need to be kids,”
“Show the little one the LANDLINE!”
This was not the first time Eva Mendes expressed her refusal to allow her children access to phones or social media. In a previous 2023 Instagram post, she shared a similar GIF and caption addressing her children’s requests to go online.
“When my kids ask me if they’re old enough to go on the internet, social media or anything requiring wifi.”
Engaging with Fans on Social Media Safety Concerns
Mendes’s post sparked discussions among her followers, including a fan curious about when their children might be allowed internet access. Eva responded candidly:
“Honestly I don’t know.”
She further elaborated that her decisions are based on ongoing observation of her daughters and research into the impact social media may have on child development.
“I’ll have to see where it goes — for now, I’m observing them and keeping up with research about how social media can impact a child’s brain,
I’m taking it stage by stage.”
Maintaining Strict Boundaries on Internet Use at Home
Some fans suggested the children will inevitably need internet access as they grow up in a digital world, but Mendes clarified the family’s current rules remain firm.
“We are in the internet century so eventually everyone will need or want to access the internet,”
a fan noted.
“Yes true, but in my house, children do not have access to the internet. It’s too dangerous,”
Mendes replied.
She compared internet access to other adult privileges that are delayed until maturity.
“Just like drinking or voting or getting a driver’s license (etc…) isn’t allowed for children, the internet falls under that category for me. Especially social media,”
Mendes stated.
One fan suggested waiting until 18, a plan Mendes acknowledged with approval.
“When they’re 18 years old,” the fan proposed, and Mendes agreed, replying,
“Yup!”
with a red heart emoji.
The Impact of Their Parenting Choices and What Lies Ahead
By maintaining strict rules on technology use, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling reflect a deliberate attempt to shield their daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, from early exposure to social media dangers. Their approach shows a commitment to preserving childhood away from the pressures of the online world, prioritizing real-life experiences during their formative years.
This parenting insight into Ryan Gosling’s family life highlights a growing awareness among celebrity parents about the potential risks digital technologies pose to children’s mental and emotional health. As the girls grow older, it remains to be seen how Eva and Ryan will adapt their rules to balance safety with the increasing necessity of internet use in modern education and social interaction.
