Joseph Fiennes<\/a> thinks social media has made being a parent “impossible”.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Joseph Fiennes has slammed social media<\/p>\n
The Dear England actor – who has two daughters, aged 16 and 14, with wife Maria Dolores Fieguez – takes strict control of his girls’ phones but admitted it isn’t an easy job helping them to navigate the online world when up against the resources of tech companies.<\/p>\n
Noting his kids are on social media only when he “allows them to be”, he told the Guardian newspaper he would now include parent as the toughest job alongside his previous quip that prime minister and England soccer coach are the most difficult.<\/p>\n
He explained: \u201cIt is impossible. We are up against the f****** nightmare of tech companies and devices and the disruption of brain chemistry that hijacks our kids in the most valuable and poignant part of their lives \u2013 their childhood. <\/p>\n
“On the way here, I\u2019m walking the dog, I\u2019m picking up poo, and at the same time I\u2019m trying to manage screen time and being bombarded with messages: \u2018Can you release my phone?\u2019 It\u2019s such a hard thing to say no and to insist on no devices in the bedroom after a certain time. But I do that, yes, 100%.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe 55-year-old actor believes social media is the “great manipulation” and the biggest factor in the rise of extreme politics.<\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cAnd it\u2019s driven by big business, by billionaires.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nJoseph is particularly furious about the advertising on sites such as Instagram which target young children, and called for more legislation.<\/p>\n
\nHe fumed: “Children as young as 10 are trying to buy beauty products that make themselves look really young \u2026 It\u2019s mad. As a parent, you\u2019re not up against the influence of someone else talking to your child. You\u2019re up against Zuckerberg\u2019s team of scientists. <\/p>\n
\n“So how the f***are you going to win? You\u2019re not going to win. And it\u2019s a daily struggle, a daily event, and it\u2019s exhausting, and we need help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Shakespeare in Love star is also concerned about the lack of legislation surrounding vaping, noting how the marketing has changed from simple early devices to colourful packaging and appealing fruity flavours.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: \u201cYou can see what these companies are saying is: \u2018Let\u2019s target the kids, get them signed up as early as possible.\u2019 And I\u2019m f****** livid with it. I hate it. This is where a government [should step in].<\/p>\n
\n\u201cLet\u2019s block f****** social media. Let\u2019s stop companies targeting kids. Young, fragile brains. Don\u2019t flip-flop around. Where is the government? Why aren\u2019t they bringing in heavy legislation against these companies? Stand up, Keir [Starmer], this is your kids\u2019 generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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