Matthew McConaughey on why he didn’t let his son Levi have social media until 15: “He wanted it when he was 12…”
Matthew McConaughey’s son Levi wanted social media when he was 12. His father, actor Matthew McConaughey, still wasn’t ready to let him join. The family eventually agreed when Levi turned 15. During an appearance on the Today Show in 2023, the actor explained why he waited, what he tells his children about sharing their lives online and why he wants his 10-year-old daughter to spend more time reading and writing songs than scrolling. His comments offer a look at how one parent is approaching the question of when children should begin using social media.
Why Levi had to wait until 15
10 Sept 2026 | 12:19
What’s one thing you swore you’l never do as a parent now you find yourself doing?
McConaughey said Levi had wanted social media for several years before his parents agreed. “Oh, he wanted it early on, probably when he was 12, definitely 13, definitely 14, and we waited until he was 15,” he said. The family considered the advantages and disadvantages before making the decision. “We tried to look at the upfalls and the downfalls,” McConaughey said. “We said, look, this is, it’s not like sending your kid off to college, but it is sending your kid out with a bunch of strangers into the world,” he said.
“Go live your life, Levi”
Matthew McConaughey with his son Levi.
McConaughey’s advice to his son was worth noting. “The main thing was this, go live your life, Levi, and if you’re doing something you think is worth sharing, then share,” he said. He did not want his son to start each day thinking about what he could do for social media. “Don’t wake up every morning going like, what can I do that would be a good share? It’s not living,” the actor said. He also explained that the family has conversations about these choices because they are following the lead of the people they are raising. “It’s like we always talk about this because we’re actually following your lead,” he said.
Why he wants his daughter to build her identity first
McConaughey also spoke about his then 10-year-old daughter and his decision to delay giving her a phone. “I have a 10-year-old. She won’t be getting even a phone for a long time. She knows that, but also I want her to live in this world,” he said. He then explained what he meant by wanting children to live in the world before spending too much time online. “Get the identity live first,” McConaughey said. The actor was referring to the stage when children are still forming their identity and figuring out who they are. “We’re talking about with the book and stuff, this is when the kids, just when they’re forming the identity,” he said.“If you’re on the social media too early, the world’s telling you. A lot of strangers are telling you who you are,” he said. He questioned the effect this could have on a child’s confidence. “Should you feel confident about yourself? Should you not feel? That’s the tail wagging the dog,” he said.
“I don’t want them just scrolling”
The actor’s concerns are not limited to the age at which children get social media. He also spoke about how they spend their time on screens. “Also, I don’t want her just scrolling,” he said. Instead, he wants his daughter to spend time on activities that allow her to explore her interests. “I want her to writing songs or reading,” he said. He also raised the issue of attention span. “Attention span is a big thing. They get on too early,” McConaughey said. “The attention span becomes way too short if they’re on it too early,” he added.
Levi is now 18 and a budding actor
Levi McConaughey is now 18 and is a budding actor himself. His father’s comments about social media come as Levi moves further into adulthood and develops his own interests. McConaughey said the family waited until Levi was 15 before allowing him to join social media, despite his earlier requests. For the actor, the decision was about more than setting an age limit. He wanted his son to have time to develop his identity, experience life and decide what was worth sharing.
