Sophie Winkleman highlighted social media and big tech as a “threat to children”, calling for more action “from the Government” to protect youngsters.
Discussing the upcoming drama series, Wild Cherry, in which she features, the 45-year-old explained how she believes “most women with daughters will relate to the show”.
“We’re growing up in an age where you can’t really keep children safe anymore,” she told Hello!
The actress continued: “Classroom politics snap, crackle and pop 24/7 because of WhatsApp, Snapchat and every other group platform.”
Sophie Winkleman has called for more action to protect children online
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PA
Lady Frederick Windsor explained that she would have felt compelled to leave school if social media had existed while she was growing up.
Ms Winkleman said: “I think every parent now with young children and teens would agree; it’s a different planet to 20 years ago.
“We were so lucky when I was growing up, when in your late teens, you just got a basic flip phone that could text and call [someone] to say a plan had changed.
“That was magnificent, because you were free from judgment, exposure and competition; relationships were individual and weird strangers couldn’t get in touch with you.
Sophie Winkleman said it is a ‘different planet to 20 years ago’ with raising children
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PA“There was no camera, so people were present in the moment, and you could have relaxed, authentic fun with each other.”
Ms Winkleman shared that she has “turned into one of those noisy parents”, highlighting the “threat to children” social media brings.
“Most of the mums have been very supportive and proactive”, Lady Frederick Windsor explained, but she has joined calls for more action.
The actress said: “I just think that every child has a right to be protected, and that has to come from the Government.”
Ms Winkleman said she would have left school if social media existed
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GETTYMs Winkleman echoed similar words to those heard by Prince William, who said he has not given Prince George a phone despite being in his final year of primary school.
Speaking during his visit to Brazil for the Cop30 climate summit earlier this month, the Prince of Wales revealed that none of his three children currently own a phone.
“It is really hard. Our children don’t have phones,” William explained. “When George moves onto secondary school, maybe he’ll have one with limited access.”
The future king emphasised the importance of explaining their reasoning to his eldest son, noting concerns about children encountering inappropriate content online.
Sophie Winkleman and Prince Harry have been openly critical of social media
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PAWilliam’s brother, Prince Harry, has been openly critical about how social media and unregulated AI are used, issuing a warning to parents.
The Duke of Sussex said: “The reality is from what I’ve learnt, what I’ve seen, what I’ve heard and experienced, especially through the parents network, is you should be really worried, concerned and cautious about putting photographs of your kids online, especially now.
“With this surge of unregulated AI, you just don’t know where it’s going to go. You don’t know how it’s going to be [used].”
The prince believes that social media should only be accessed by youngsters when they turn 21.