Drew Barrymore reveals 'shocking' discovery on 11-year-old daughter's phone amid warning to parents

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Drew Barrymore opened up on Friday, August 30 about the 'shocking' discoveries she made on her 11-year-old daughter's phone, issuing a heartfelt warning to fellow parents about the dangers of 'toxic' social media.

In a candid Instagram post, the 49-year-old actress reflected on her own 'messed up' childhood, revealing that she was often exposed to 'hedonistic scenarios' at parties and even within her own home.

Drew Barrymore urges parents to protect kids from ‘toxic’ social media

The American actress and film producer explained that she’s channeling the pain from her own tumultuous upbringing as a guide for what not to do with her daughters - Olive, 11, and Frankie, 10.

Drawing from her past, the 'E.T.' alum urged parents to be vigilant about the impact of 'toxic' social media on kids whose 'brains are not fully developed.'

"I wished many times as a kid that someone would tell me no," Barrymore wrote, reflecting on her childhood struggles. "I craved rebellion constantly because I had no guardrails. Too much access, too much excess—and 'no' eventually became a challenge. I couldn't accept it; I was given so much autonomy at such a young age that I rejected authority of any kind."

Barrymore previously shared that her mother, Jaid, who managed her career and aspired to be an actress, would take her to Hollywood parties and nightclubs even as a child, allowing her to drink alcohol and use drugs.

Continuing in her Instagram post, Barrymore revealed, "I was surrounded by hedonistic scenarios at parties and in my own home, witnessing highly sensitive content that filled me with tremendous shame. Kids are not meant to see these images. And yes, I became a big exhibitionist when I was young because of the environments I was in."

She emphasized the need for boundaries, stating, "Kids are not supposed to be exposed to this much. Kids are supposed to be protected. Kids are supposed to hear 'no.'"

Barrymore also shared that she ended up in an institution at the age of 13 for two years, which she described as a "blessing." 

"[It was] a hard-core style of reset. It made me appreciate everything," she added, reflecting on her time in the institution. "And since there isn't a time machine to go back and redo anything, I will keep loving my journey."

Drew Barrymore opens up about overcoming shame and using her past as guide to parenting

The 'Charlie's Angels' alum recalled the overwhelming shame she felt when her institutionalization was publicized, admitting she once wanted to disappear from the planet and never show her face again.

But she pushed through those dark times by putting "one foot in front of the other," hoping her journey serves as a valuable lesson for her daughters.

"I have my own baggage from my life experiences, but is it an asset? Am I more equipped to ask these questions for my family because I’ve seen things?" she pondered. "Can our painful and powerful life experiences lead us to strengths? I hope so."

Barrymore described her journey as a 'butterfly net,' capturing insights into what young girls truly need. She emphasized the importance of setting 'guardrails' on technology to shield children from harm.

"Remember my childhood? How are we allowing kids to have this much access?" she questioned.

"For brains that are not fully developed? And group texts? These texts can become so toxic. We must protect our children from scenarios where they can't always control the rhetoric of multi-party dynamics that get put on record and could haunt them one day."

Barrymore expressed a wish for someone to create a device that offers the creative and inspiring aspects of technology without the pitfalls of social media. "What if someone could make a tangible solution I could give to my kids so I could protect them the way I wanted to be protected?" she continued.

"I want to not only protect my kids but also point to a solution for other parents."

Born in 1975 to actors Jaid and John Drew Barrymore, Drew Barrymore's early life was far from typical, according to USA Today.

The Emmy-nominated actress faced a tumultuous youth marked by drug-fueled outings to nightclubs with her mother, Jaid, and a compulsory stint in rehab at just 13 years old.

After enduring a pair of suicide attempts, Barrymore sought freedom from her chaotic upbringing by becoming emancipated from her parents, determined to take control of her own life and destiny.

Drew Barrymore’s mission to protect kids from tech

The Golden Globe Award winner shared that she’s spent the last two years dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the cause of protecting children from the harmful effects of technology, stating that it now "occupies all of her heart and soul."

She delved deep into research, consulting with developmental psychologists to understand the impact of phones on young minds.

Despite her efforts, she got her daughter a phone for her 11th birthday but was left 'shocked' after reading through her text messages just three months later.

While she didn't reveal the content of the messages, she decided to make a point by printing every single text and handing her daughter a stack of pages.

"I handed her a stack of pages and said, 'This is not a black void that these travel to. They're permanent somewhere [even if] we don't see it,'" Drew explained. She ultimately took the phone away, calling it an 'important experiment for both of them.'

Barrymore emphasized to parents, "We can live with our children's discomfort in having to wait [for a phone]. We can be vilified and know we are doing what we now know to be a safer, slower, and scaffolded approach. If my kids are angry with me, I do not go back on my rules. Rather than trying to fix it for them, I can let my kids experience that discomfort and figure out how to cope and work through it."

Her resolve is clear: "I am going to become the parent I needed. The adult I needed."

Barrymore's journey in the spotlight began at just two years old as a model, and she shot to fame at seven with her iconic role in Steven Spielberg's 1982 film 'E.T.'

However, her early fame came with a dark side; she had her first drink at age nine and was using cocaine by 12.

At 13, Barrymore's mother sent her to a psychiatric institution where she spent 18 months, and by 14, she was emancipated from her parents, determined to carve out her own path, as per Daily Mail.

Barrymore's experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting children from harmful influences and providing them with the guidance and boundaries they need.