David Beckham reflected on allowing his children to make mistakes — especially on social media — hours after his son Brooklyn Beckham released a shocking statement about their ongoing family feud.
David, 50, was asked about the use of social media during a live interview on CNBC’s financial program Squawk Box, telling Andrew Ross Sorkin on Tuesday, January 20, “I’ve always spoken about social media and the power of social media — for the good and for the bad.”
David — who also shares sons Romeo, 23, and Cruz, 20, and daughter Harper, 14, with wife Victoria Beckham — reflected on his efforts to “educate” his kids about the negative effects of social media, adding, “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.”
He continued, “I’ve been able to use my platform for 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. So, that’s what I try to teach my kids, but you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”
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Earlier in the segment, the former professional soccer player was specifically asked about whether he thought it was “easier” on his mental health to weather headlines about himself in the U.K. or the United States.
“I’m going to have to sit on the fence, I love living in both places,” he noted. “I love my country. I love where I grew up, but I always wanted to live in America and I love America. … I’m lucky that I get to spend a huge amount of time in both places.”
David’s comments came shortly after Brooklyn, 26, took to Instagram with a lengthy statement about his family’s ongoing feud.
“I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private. 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,” he wrote via his Instagram Story. “I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”
Brooklyn defended his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, while slamming how his parents have “controlled narratives in the press” about their family over the years.
“The performative social meda posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into. 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 the innocent people, to preserve their own facade,” he claimed. “But I believe the truth always comes out.”
Brooklyn questioned his family’s alleged decision to value “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 continued. “We’ve gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show ‘our perfect family!’ But the one time my wife asked for my mum’s support to save displaced dogs during the LA fires, my mum refused.”
In the statement, Brooklyn claimed he has been “controlled” by his parents “for most of” his life.
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“I grew up with overwhelming anxiety,” he concluded. “For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief. 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.”
David and Victoria, 51, have yet to publicly address Brooklyn’s statement directly.
Brooklyn and Nicola, 31, originally sparked rumors that they were on the outs with the rest of the family after they skipped David’s birthday party in March 2025. Speculation about a feud originally started years earlier, however, after Brooklyn and Nicola’s 2022 nuptials, which he addressed in Monday’s statement.
Before the public fallout, David showed his appreciation for his kids with a Father’s Day post.
“My most important & favorite job in life is being a dad,” David captioned a June 2025 post, tagging sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz’s Instagram accounts. “I’m so proud of all of you and like daddy (sorry boys) tells you every single day, I will always be here for you no matter what. Mummy, thank you for doing the most important part and making me a father there is no greater gift in life than making me a dad. Happy Father’s Day. I love you kiddies more than you could imagine.”
Victoria, meanwhile, called her husband the “best daddy” to their four children in her own post, writing, “You always lead with love and our four beautiful children are a reflection of that. We all love you so so much!!”
