Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Keep Daughters Offline to Protect Mental Health

Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling are taking a firm stand on how they raise their daughters, Esmeralda, 8, and Amada, 7, by keeping them completely offline. Mendes, 49, recently shared insights into their decision to prohibit smartphone and internet use for their children, saying it’s a way to protect them from the negative effects of online exposure.

Mendes, who has been with Gosling since 2011, compared the risks of internet access to giving kids the keys to a car or letting them drink alcohol. She believes navigating the online world requires a level of maturity young children don’t yet have. Their choice to shield their daughters from social media is also driven by concerns over the pressures and unrealistic comparisons children often face online. Mendes emphasized that the harmful comments and negativity on social media can affect anyone, not just children.

Using humor, Mendes addressed the situation on Instagram, joking about her daughters asking when they’ll be allowed online. While she understands that controlling screen time will become more difficult as they grow older, she remains committed to this approach for now. Mendes even responded to a follower, likening the dangers of the internet to allowing children to drive or vote.

Though aware that the internet and social media are an integral part of modern life, Mendes and Gosling are delaying their daughters' exposure to it as long as possible. She believes children shouldn’t rush into using technology just because it's everywhere. By holding off, Mendes hopes her daughters will engage with the online world more responsibly when they’re ready.

The couple’s approach to parenting highlights the importance of safeguarding children from the overwhelming impact of technology. At a time when many parents feel pressured to give in to screen time, Mendes stands by her decision to prioritize her children’s mental well-being and innocence.