Joanna Gaines Has Strict Cell Phone & Social Media Rules for Her Kids

Joanna Gaines is weighing in on a parenting hot topic, sharing the rules she and husband Chip Gaines have about cell phones for their kids. The former HGTV stars have instituted strict age requirements that work for their family.

Joanna Gaines Shares Her Family Rules for Kids Having Cell Phones

During an appearance on the July 9, 2025, episode of the “Making Space With Hoda Kotb” podcast, Gaines shared the rules she and Chip have set up for their kids when it comes to cell phones.

She noted, “I never want to project like a judgment on anybody. I think we all do it in such unique ways that’s right for our family and for our kids.”

Gaines continued, “We like to make up weird little rules,” explaining that for cell phones, “it was when they turned 13.” They also have rules about using the internet.

They disable their kids’ ability to use the internet on their phone, but they can use a cell phone for calls, games, and texting.

She explained, “To me, Chip and I always think about man, when we were little, when we were 12, if we would have access to the internet … And so why do we think their brains are ready for any search, any accidental whatever.”

At home, their computer is in a central location. “But on their phones, there’s no sitting and scrolling for hours or searching because we all know sometimes where that leads,” she said.

Gaines added, “So, you can get a phone when you’re 13 … and so social media and the internet, not until you’re 18.”

When Kotb asked if the kids are sneaky about it, Gaines responded, “No … I would like to say they’re not sneaky. I mean we’re pretty open, so I feel like for us we explain the why.”

Joanna Gaines Admits When She Messes Up

On the topic of parenting, Gaines also shared how she is much more honest about messing up than she used to be. “I love being honest with my kids when I screw up,” she said.

Gaines continued, “Because I feel like, in the past, the way I would have parented was, ‘Oh, I messed up’ … where now I feel like the more I apologize and the more I’m like ‘I’m saying one thing but I maybe am not showing you this,’ I will say it and put it out there.”

The Magnolia empire owner shared, “Where I think the old me would have just put it under the rug, [and believe] ‘maybe they didn’t notice.'”

Gaines added, “I apologize more often than not now because I feel like I screw up a lot, for sure.”