David Beckham's Response

[GrooveArmada]

The family feud has had a number of dedicated threads already, this is not a repeat.

I want to focus on DB's today's response, available here: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/20/children-make-mistakes-david-beckham-brooklyn-post

"Children make mistakes" - I find it incredibly offensive and gaslighting. His son is a 26 year old adult man. A husband. He isn't talking about a 5 year old in Reception here.

I think his PR advised him to put children into his response to seemingly soften it, but I think he's very undermining to Brooklyn and this language smacks of being controlling.

AIBU?

The question was:

What are your thoughts on how young people use social media today?

He could have said:

• I am concerned about toxic masculinity
• I don't agree with social media access for under 16s
• I support safe screen campaigns and educating children on the risks associated with SM
• SM promotes unrealistic looks and lifestyle affecting young people's mental health, it's important we educate young people on this
• I am concerned about insufficient regulation and access to volatile, sexual or harmful content

I mean, he could have said any of those or other meaningful things. Some would of course be hypocritical.

But he said what he wanted to say, not responding meaningfully to the actual question.

Whose following the magazine spreads and social media posts and then moaning that they put their kids in it?
You are aware that the article linked to is in The Guardian,yes? People can know they did these things as they are very heavily shared and publicised without following them on SM or buying Hello magazine. Many people who work in the media wil for one thing. As will people who have been social media and seen it referred to or tweeted. I have never ever watched a single programme with a Kardashian in it, or read an article about them, and still I know more about them than I'd like to.

And no, it really isn't "celebrity". Your knowledge of social media and current affairs is really quite limited if you think that. I can guarantee you there are far less social media posts and planned photos of most other celebrity children out there.

I see Rebecca loos has come out of the woodwork today too. Total cringe 😬 for the whole family

I was his age once and said stupid things. Most certainly made mistakes. My parents can confirm. And said so.

Another bonkers mumsnet thread that adds credence to those worrying about the next generation with parenting "insights" like this.

He was asked about kids and social media. He made a quip about kids making mistakes, never mentioned social media then circled back to himself.

Volumes.

@GrooveArmada you say dB should have known better but if he is a controlling narx his treatment of BB will just be ingrained in him and he won't see it or be able to change without help

He got married to a billionaire's daughter and now lives off of her instead.
Spoiled child.

Honestly David should have kept quiet.
It was obviously a remark aimed at Brooklyn .
Brooklyns post did have a ring of truth to it imo.
It cant be easy growing up in such intensive media spotlight no matter how rich your parents are.
They should all now stfu.
But David and Victoria wont or cant because theyve pretty much turned publicity and media attention into a full time job ( and for the most part probably love the attention)
And Brooklyn doesnt know any better as its how hes grown up, so its completely normal to him.
And both the public and press are also responsible for this, i mean we are all reacting to their posts and the story theyve created.
But its a sad state of affairs all round.
On the other point I still call my (adult DC) my children, people sometimes ask how many children do you have etc.
There is no word for adult children.
If i talk about them individually i say my son or my daughter , or by name if people know us, but if talking about them collectively I say children .

Both David and VB have already spoken to the press.

Well I suspect VB leaked to the press as there was an article this morning that she was “on the floor in bits”. Typical narcissistic behaviour if my suspicions are correct.

After all who else would know something like that so quickly and immediately go to the press with it ?

Neither of them come across well. I believe Brooklyn personally.

@BIossomtoes

He's a grifter!

You do realise his parents have been grifring off him since he was born ? That's kinda the crux of the issue ?

He couldn't have said no 4 ! He's part of it

Of course not.
He's a spoiled childish man who married a very rich man's daughter and now is bad-mouthing his own flesh and blood, who worked hard to succeed in their respective careers and without whom he would never have been entertained as son-in-law material for a billionaire's daughter in the first place.

A true apology would be forthcoming without an expectation of immediate acceptance or forgiveness, or an expectation of ever being accepted or forgiven.

I'm not sure anyone who posts such stuff on social media is really in a happy place completely, but I hope it goes some way towards achieving peace in his life.

I know, I mentioned the hypocrisy.

I made a point earlier that he's not the right person for UNICEF or this kind of panel.

I didn't realise there were articles about "VB on the floor" but it is correct, published last night:

https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2159941/victoria-beckham-tears-brooklyn-beckham-feud

That was quick! How very dramatic.

I'm going to pretend believe you asked this genuinely so I'm going to ansewr you seriously.

This in itallics is what was asked and answered:

interviewer: “What are your thoughts on how young people use social media today?”
David Beckham:
“I’ve always spoken about social media, and the power of social media — for the good and for the bad. The bad we’ve talked about, what kids can access these days — it can be dangerous. But what I’ve found personally, especially with my kids as well, is that they use it for the right reasons.”
“I’ve been able to use my platform and my following for UNICEF, and it’s been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children.”
“And I’ve tried to do the same with my children, to educate them. They make mistakes. Children are allowed to make mistakes. That’s how they learn. That’s what I try to teach my kids. But, you know, you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”

I think anything but the final paragragh would be fine.

The first line of the last para is OK except there's a big irony in him saying he's tried to educate his children to use social media to make people aware of what's going on around the world, since BB did just that.

The last para, as well as putting him into potential murky PR waters by mentioning his children the day after BB's instagram post, is problematic for other resaons. Children will and make mistakes with SM. But in worst case scenarios, those 'mistakes' can be deadly. Or lead to them being sexually groomed and abused if children get into a SM private chat with abusers. under-18s making mistakes on SM could also result in them (if teenagers) having naked photos of them being shown around at school.

Those are all big mistakes, it's not something to gloss over. Does he really want children learning by making mistakes like that? I doubt it. I certainly don't. And I don't what any type of ambassador for children implying that. Do you?

Which article is this?

Of course, but when I think k of celebs who’ve pimped their kids for coverage I think of Katie Price, Jay Z and Beyoncé, a few of the TOWiE cast etc. I don’t follow them either but as you say they enter the consciousness. The Beckhams just don’t register for me so I’m surprised at the vitriol towards them.

None of these people would do any of this stuff if it didn’t gain them followers and finances. So you might not be following them, but plenty of people are, and the media are amplifying all of it for their own agenda.

I’m not sure what you mean by this ‘And no, it really isn't "celebrity". Your knowledge of social media and current affairs is really quite limited if you think that.’

Are you saying it’s not celebrity because lots of celebrities don’t do this? I mean, sure - but plenty do too.

Those are the sort of answers I would give and Im a professional working with children, I might give those answers at a seminar or workshop

Although he will have been prepped and supported in his responses, he's a layman, not a professional, not an academic, I didnt think anything odd about how he responded, perhaps he would have said a lot more if this feud hadnt been happening, it did sound bland and short to me.

This is typical narc. Now she's on the floor. Okay. But why? Narcissistic injury?

This has been planted by her. But narcs are going to narc.

This one https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/victoria-beckham-in-bits-over-36579881.amp

“A source” my arse. It was brand Beckham themsleves.

Does he really want children learning by making mistakes like that? I doubt it. I certainly don't. And I don't what any type of ambassador for children implying that. Do you?

Of course he doesn’t want children making those mistakes, what a weird insinuation!

Again that's typical narc mother behaviour. Bet she ensured that all her kids were witness to her being "on the floor in bits" too. They are really not doing themselves any favours.

Again for those of us who grew up / put up with this white, we know it well.

I feel sorry for BB and all the kids to be honest.

If it was actually about why under 16s maybe should have SM then I think it’s massively taking his comments out of context to say he meant this comment to be about Brooklyn.

Why are you so sneery at me. Whats the 'pretend' nonsense about

Ive already said I thought it was a bland basic statement, not very long and dont really see a problem with it and asked why those who thought it was so awful thought he should have said instead.

That can't be a brand Beckham or Beckham 'source', it very much sides with Brooklyn and Nicola, as I read it.