David Beckham says parents must let their children “make mistakes” on social media, a day after his eldest son Brooklyn exposed their family feud in an explosive Instagram post.
Brooklyn made a host of damning claims regarding Sir David and his wife, singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, on Monday which included that his parents control narratives about his family in the press and tried to “ruin” his relationship with his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham.
The former England football captain did not answer when asked questions about Brooklyn during his public appearance in Davos, Switzerland where he also recorded a podcast with US popular science author Adam Grant at the World Economic Forum.
The lengthy Instagram post confirmed the rumours that have swirled since Brooklyn’s wedding to the daughter of US billionaire Nelson Peltz in 2022.
Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box amid the family feud, Sir David addressed the scathing post.
“I’ve always spoke about social media and the power of social media for the good and for the bad,” he said.
“The bad we’ve talked about with what kids can access these days.
“It can be dangerous, but what I’ve found personally, especially with my kids as well. 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.
“I’ve tried to do the same. 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.
“So that’s what I try to teach my kids. But you know, you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”
In his statement, aspiring chef and photographer Brooklyn said he did not want to “reconcile” with his family.
“I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.
“For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family.
“The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into,” he said.
“Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they’ll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their own facade.
“But I believe the truth always comes out.”
His parents, known as Posh and Becks, have two other sons, Cruz and Romeo, and daughter Harper.
Brooklyn claimed his mother “hijacked” his first dance with Nicola at their wedding and danced “inappropriately on me” in front of guests, adding that he had never felt more “uncomfortable or humiliated” in his life.
He also alleged his wife had been “disrespected” by his family and was not invited to his father’s 50th birthday party.
“My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped,” he said.
“My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first.
“Family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it’s at the expense of our professional obligations,” he said.
“My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press or manipulation.
“All we want is peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.”
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