Shilpa Shetty Calls for Raising Digitally Aware Children, Warns Against Internet Addiction
New Delhi: Actor Shilpa Shetty has spoken about the need to raise digitally aware children rather than digitally addicted ones, underlining the growing responsibility of parents in the age of the internet.
Sharing her thoughts as a mother, Shilpa said the internet is a powerful tool that plays a major role in shaping young minds. While it offers creativity and learning opportunities, she cautioned that it can also expose children to content they may not be emotionally ready to process.
In a video shared on Instagram on the occasion of Safer Internet Day, Shilpa said she wanted to speak from the heart, not as a public figure but as a concerned parent. She stressed that parenting in the digital age should not be about banning technology but about balancing access and exposure.
She said parents must stay aware of what their children are watching, scrolling through, and consuming online. According to her, open conversations are essential, as curiosity often grows in silence rather than dialogue. She also highlighted the importance of using parental controls while focusing on building trust between parents and children.
Shilpa added that supervision until the age of 16 should be seen as care rather than control. She urged parents to teach children that not everything on the internet is real, kind, or safe, and that critical thinking is essential when engaging with online content.
Acknowledging that there are no easy answers, Shilpa said the goal should be to start honest conversations among parents and work collectively toward positive change. She expressed hope that such discussions could help shape a generation that is confident, informed, and digitally responsible.
She concluded by saying that guidance today can create confidence tomorrow and that raising digitally aware children is essential for the future.
Our Thoughts
Shilpa Shetty’s message reflects a growing concern among parents navigating the challenges of raising children in a digital-first world. Her emphasis on balance, conversation, and trust highlights a realistic approach rather than fear-driven restrictions. As screen time and online exposure increase, such discussions are becoming increasingly relevant. The focus on awareness instead of addiction underlines the need for shared responsibility between families, schools, and society in shaping healthier digital habits.