Chris Pratt has spoken out in support of the new social media rules for children under sixteen, becoming the latest celebrity to weigh in after Oprah Winfrey praised the approach.
The actor called the move “smart” and said he hoped other countries would follow suit.
Pratt, known for Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic Worldadmitted that he usually didn’t like telling people what to do.
But the 46-year-old star believed it was very important to protect children online, “But when it comes to children, I think it’s important to protect them.
As much as I believe in freedom, I also believe that it’s really, really important to protect kids from social media,” he said.
The electric state Star also talked about how he runs his own household since his four children, including a thirteen-year-old, don’t have phones or use screens.
He said he wanted to keep them away from “passive algorithm-driven entertainment” and give them a better start in life.
“Data has become the most valuable commodity in the world. Our attention is the new veins of gold and oil to the world,” Moneyball star added.
Oprah Winfrey also praised the decision during her speaking tour in Sydney, telling audiences the rules could “change the lives of an entire generation of children” and highlighting research showing young children were using devices at alarming ages.
Quoting author Jonathan Haidt, she said 40% of American two-year-olds got iPads.
Winfrey called the move a way to protect children’s brains and mental health.
But Chris’s comments, along with Oprah’s support, brought more attention to the debate about children and social media.
