Simon Cowell’s longtime partner, Lauren Silverman, won’t allow devices in the bedroom when their 12-year-old son, Eric, has friends staying over — a rule she admits has made her “unpopular.”
“Every family has different boundaries around technology and this is one that has made a real difference in ours,” Silverman, 48, wrote via social media on Friday.
“When friends come for play dates or sleepovers we ask that smartphones stay away. Not because we are completely anti tech but because we have seen what happens when children are given the space to simply be children.”
Silverman wrote that she believes the move results in “more laughter, more conversation, better sleep and more genuine connection” for her son and his pals.
In a slideshow, Silverman shared a snapshot of her son with two friends, writing atop the image that the move “had the potential to make [her] the least popular mum” in her son’s “friendship group.”
However, in subsequent slides she explained that it was about “kids being kids” without the distractions of smart phones — and reflected on what might happen if it became “the new normal.”
Silverman asserted that “culture changes at home,” and imagined a world where “playdates once again meant” activities like riding bikes, swimming, playing football, baking, exploring outdoors and simply “hanging out and talking.”
The mom of two wrote that ditching cell phones can result in “amazing” changes, including kids “talking,” “creating” and “connecting.”
“And somehow the hours seem to slow down,” she went on. “Nobody sits alone scrolling,” she added, noting that “They’re busy making memories.”
Silverman also noted that she respects “that every family has different rules” and that the “goal is connection, not control.”
“This is about balance,” she wrote, urging parents to “help make this the new norm,” while acknowledging that devices will still be used for various purposes.
Parents in the comments thread had mixed reactions, with one suggesting, “Brilliant! Is it possible that adults could set their phones aside when not necessary to set an example?”
Another wrote, “Great post 
– the more we parents feel able to say this to each other and to kids, the more we will change the culture that says they need phones,” while a third chimed in with a concern that, “Children need to be contactable!” — despite Silverman’s assertion that “children can always access their phones if they need to contact home.”
Silverman and the “American Idol” icon began dating in 2013 and welcomed Eric in 2014. They’ve since become engaged, with Cowell popping the questionback in December 2021.
Silverman also shares son Adam Silverman, whom she welcomed with ex-husband Andrew Silverman.
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