Holly Willoughby has opened up about her fears for her children when it comes to using social media and online bullying.
The 36-year-old mum of three has spoken out about how she will deal with her children using social media when they get older, admitting she doesn't have the 'answers yet' but won't ban them from being online.
Holly and her TV producer hubby share three children, Harry, Chester and Belle, but are careful to keep them out of the media, rarely showing them on social platforms.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, the This Morning presenter opened up about protecting her children online and noted how difficult it is for kids these days to get away from bullies and negative influences.
'When we were kids we'd go home and at least we'd have hours where nobody could get to you and you could just regather your thoughts.'
Referencing some of the heartbreaking stories that have recently appeared on the show, Holly explained how serious online bullying can be, referencing some cases which tragically lead to children committing suicide.
'Now it's just not like that and we've seen how serious it gets: children taking their own lives.'
As a mum to little one's herself, Holly admitted that she's already preparing for conversations about having social media with her own brood but that she doesn't have the 'answers yet'.
'It is a huge problem and I listen with absolute open ears on the show at the moment because I'm not quite there yet but I know I will come across these things and I want to be equipped myself deal with it.
'I don't know if I've got the answers yet, I know if you keep lines of communication open with your children that really helps and I think that's all you can do.'
The ITV favourite revealed that she doesn't think banning social media is the way to go:
'I don't think you can ban it because then, you know, the biggest thing about being a child at school is not being the one that sticks out for being different.
'If you're the one who's not allowed because your mum doesn't let you you become that figure of difference and that's when the problems start and that's how they communicate.
'You have to remember also that those platforms are also used for really good ways of socialising for teenagers or older children so I don't think you can hold back the tide, I think that would be very naive as a parent.'
How do you tackle the negative influences of social media in your household? Do you think banning online platforms is the right thing to do? Tell us in the comment box!
