No phone, no social media: How Aishwarya Rai Bachchan gave Aaradhya a different childhood & what parents can learn from it

In a world where children often get their first smartphone at a young age, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has taken a different path with her daughter Aaradhya. During an in-conversation session at the Red Sea Film Festival, Aishwarya clarified that Aaradhya is not on social media, despite several fake accounts circulating online.

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Over the years, both Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan have shared glimpses of a parenting style focused on privacy, family involvement and a balanced childhood. Here are four parenting lessons parents can take from their approach.

Delay Social Media Until Children Are Ready

One of the biggest takeaways from Aishwarya's parenting approach is that social media does not have to be a part of childhood from the beginning.

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Many parents feel pressure to allow smartphones and social platforms because "everyone else has them". However, Aishwarya's stance suggests that digital access can be introduced when a child is mature enough to handle it responsibly.

Giving children more time before entering the online world can help them develop confidence and emotional resilience away from the pressures of likes, comments and comparisons.

Create More Space For Real-Life Experiences

Keeping children away from screens is not just about limiting technology. It is also about making room for other experiences that help them grow.

Family conversations, hobbies, outdoor activities, reading and spending time with friends all play an important role in a child's development. By reducing screen distractions, parents can encourage children to focus on the real world around them.

Aaradhya's upbringing reflects the idea that childhood should not revolve entirely around digital devices.

Stay Actively Involved In Your Child's Life

Abhishek Bachchan has previously spoken about Aishwarya's hands-on role in raising Aaradhya. While parenting is a shared responsibility, children often benefit when parents remain closely involved in their daily lives.

Simple things such as helping with schoolwork, having regular conversations and understanding a child's interests can strengthen the parent-child bond.

The lesson here is not about being perfect but about being present and consistent.

Protect Your Child's Privacy

In the age of social media, many moments of a child's life are shared online almost instantly. Aishwarya's decision to keep Aaradhya away from public social media profiles highlights the importance of protecting a child's privacy.

Children deserve the opportunity to grow and make mistakes without every moment being documented online. Setting healthy boundaries around what is shared can help safeguard their personal space and identity.

For many parents, this can mean thinking carefully before posting photos, videos or personal details about their children on social media.

Why Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Parenting Style Stands Out

While Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's life may be far from ordinary, her parenting philosophy is surprisingly relatable. Her approach focuses on giving her daughter a grounded childhood, limiting unnecessary online exposure and prioritising real-world experiences.

For parents navigating the challenges of raising children in the digital age, these lessons offer a simple reminder: childhood does not need to be lived through a screen.

Inputs from TOI