McConaughey said Levi had wanted social media for several years before his parents agreed. (Instagram/@officiallymcconaughey)
Matthew McConaughey’s son Levi wanted social media when he was 12. The family eventually agreed when Levi turned 15. During an appearance on the Today Show in 2023, the actor explained why he waited, what he tells his children about sharing their lives online and why he wants his 10-year-old daughter to spend more time reading and writing songs than scrolling. McConaughey also spoke about his then 10-year-old daughter and his decision to delay giving her a phone. “I have a 10-year-old.
Because they are following the lead of the people they are raising, he also explained that the family has conversations about these choices. She won’t be getting even a phone for a long time.
McConaughey said Levi had wanted social media for several years before his parents agreed. “Oh, he wanted it early on, probably when he was 12, definitely 13, definitely 14, and we waited until he was 15,” he said. “We tried to look at the upfalls and the downfalls,” McConaughey said. “We said, look, this is, it’s not like sending your kid off to college, but it is sending your kid out with a bunch of strangers into the world,” he said. “The main thing was this, go live your life, Levi, and if you’re doing something you think is worth sharing, then share,” he said. It’s not living,” the actor said. “It’s like we always talk about this because we’re actually following your lead,” he said. She knows that, but also I want her to live in this world,” he said. “Get the identity live first,” McConaughey said. “We’re talking about with the book and stuff, this is when the kids, just when they’re forming the identity,” he said. A lot of strangers are telling you who you are,” he said. That’s the tail wagging the dog,” he said. “Also, I don’t want her just scrolling,” he said. “I want her to writing songs or reading,” he said. They get on too early,” McConaughey said. “The attention span becomes way too short if they’re on it too early,” he added.
His father, actor Matthew McConaughey, still wasn’t ready to let him join. His comments offer a look at how one parent is approaching the question of when children should begin using social media. The family considered the advantages and disadvantages before making the decision. McConaughey’s advice to his son was worth noting. He did not want his son to start each day thinking about what he could do for social media. “Don’t wake up every morning going like, what can I do that would be a good share? He then explained what he meant by wanting children to live in the world before spending too much time online. The actor was referring to the stage when children are still forming their identity and figuring out who they are. “If you’re on the social media too early, the world’s telling you. He questioned the effect this could have on a child’s confidence. “Should you feel confident about yourself? Should you not feel? The actor’s concerns are not limited to the age at which children get social media. He also spoke about how they spend their time on screens. Instead, he wants his daughter to spend time on activities that allow her to explore her interests. He also raised the issue of attention span. “Attention span is a big thing.
Levi McConaughey is now 18 and is a budding actor himself. McConaughey said the family waited until Levi was 15 before allowing him to join social media, despite his earlier requests. His father’s comments about social media come as Levi moves further into adulthood and develops his own interests. For the actor, the decision was about more than setting an age limit. He wanted his son to have time to develop his identity, experience life and decide what was worth sharing.