PHOTO: Instagram/marianrivera

In today’s digital age, social media can be a tool to keep up with the latest in pop culture, but it can also pose harm if not used properly—especially for children and adolescents. That’s likely the reason why some parents choose not to allow their kids to use social media platforms.

Case in point: Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, who veered away from the crowd and opted to get their kids away from their smartphones. “So may rule kami na dapat wala silang social media account. Dati nung mag-5 year old siya, sabi namin dapat by 6, tigil na tayo sa social media. Hangga’t maaari, we also wanna protect their privacy.”

He added that they would oblige here and there, especially since Zia and her mom have common interests, too. “Yung sa TikTok dancing videos nila ni Marian, eh talagang nag-enjoy lang sila don. Kasi that’s what they love to do together all the time.”

Despite their strictness now, they’re all for giving their kids the freedom of choice when they’re better equipped to make sound decisions. “Basta ang klaro lang samin, gusto namin maging choice nila yun. Pagtanda nila, gawa sila sariling account nila and kung ano yung content nila. As long as, di naman pwedeng sabihing bahala na kayo. Syempre magre-regulate din.”

“We have to make sure that we do the modeling in terms of pinapakita namen, so we’ll make sure na yung mga gagawin namin ay yung mag gusto din namin makita from you guys later on, kasi ginagaya nila kami.”