Lauren Silverman has explained why she allowed her 12-year-old son Eric to have a phone again, after initially banning it. The 48-year-old shares Eric with her partner Simon Cowell, 66, and the family's life was featured in Cowell's recent Netflix documentary.
Silverman revealed on Instagram that she and Cowell had been firm about not giving Eric a phone, with Cowell himself having not used a phone for nearly eight years. However, after Eric secretly downloaded Snapchat onto her phone and had an honest conversation with them, they reconsidered. Eric now has a phone with clear boundaries, including no social media, and is only allowed to text and call friends and family.
Silverman wrote: “I changed my mind about my 12-year-old son having a phone... But I still said no to social media. Whether we like it or not, texting has become a part of childhood. Plans are made there. Jokes are shared there. Friendships often happen there and at some point kids start feeling like they are the only one not in the conversation.”
She explained that finding Eric secretly messaging friends on Snapchat from her phone made her rethink the approach. Instead of a battle, they talked, and Eric said he just wanted to text and call friends, not use social media. Silverman stated: “The reason I am holding that boundary is because social media is a completely different world. The pressure. The comparison. The toxicity. For our family, this is something we are waiting for for now.”
Eric is also banned from using his phone in his bedroom, at the dinner table, or during family time. Cowell gave up his phone in 2018 for mental health reasons, saying it made him happier and more focused. The family moved to the Cotswolds after break-ins at their former London home, and now live in an £8 million mansion.
