Lauren Cowell, partner of Simon Cowell and a 48-year-old entrepreneur, has disclosed her greatest concern in raising their 12-year-old son Eric, born in 2014: the risks posed by social media.
Social Media Sparks Family Alarm
Lauren Cowell explained that social media represents a persistent worry for both her and Simon Cowell. This fear intensified recently when Eric downloaded Snapchat onto her phone while she drove and he selected music. ‘He would always take my phone to put music on in the car, and obviously, I’m driving, so I can’t look at what he’s doing. I knew nothing about it, and how it actually worked,’ she stated.
To address the issue, Lauren promptly removed the app. Eric now has his own phone, restricted solely to texting friends via WhatsApp. ‘We’ve gotten Eric a phone, but there is no social media on it. He’s not allowed on any apps, on any social media. He doesn’t have Snapchat. I’ve now removed everything, so he literally can text and WhatsApp his friends,’ she clarified. This cautious approach stems from long-held reservations that delayed providing Eric with a phone.
Advocating for Change Through Raise the Age Campaign
In response, Lauren Cowell has joined the Raise the Age campaign, aligning with bereaved families pushing for legislation to raise the minimum social media age to 16, mirroring Australia’s recent policy implemented in December.
‘This really shouldn’t even be a political discussion… it should absolutely be a discussion of what is in the best interest and the safety and protection of children, full stop,’ she emphasized. Addressing political leaders directly, she added, ‘I would say this directly to members of parliament and to Keir Starmer, I’d like to urge him as a father to do the right thing.’
Embracing the Cowell Family Name
Lauren Cowell’s candid remarks follow her decision to officially change her surname from Silverman to Cowell. As the couple remains engaged with plans to marry, she views the change as a natural step for family unity. ‘We’re engaged, so the plan is that we’ll get married eventually, but changing the name wasn’t a big, dramatic thing. We both felt it was time; it’s really about the unit of our family. I just didn’t feel as though I wanted to keep my ex-husband’s last name any more. I would love to get married one day, but I’m not focused on that piece of paper,’ she shared.
