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David Beckham has spoken publicly for the first time following his son Brooklyn Beckham's explosive Instagram posts accusing his parents of sabotaging his marriage to Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Appearing on CNBC's financial program Squawk Box on Tuesday, Jan. 20, the former soccer star, 50, addressed the impact of social media while discussing mental health, a day after Brooklyn alleged that David and Victoria Beckham had tried to undermine his relationship. Without naming his son directly, David acknowledged that his children have "made mistakes" online.
"I have always spoken about social media and the power of social media, for the good and for the bad," David said. "What kids can access these days can be dangerous. But if used for the right reasons, it can also be a powerful tool."
David, who shares Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, with wife Victoria Beckham, said he has tried to educate his children about responsible online behavior. "They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes," he added. "That's how they learn. That's what I try to teach my kids. Sometimes you have to let them make those mistakes."
The remarks came a day after Brooklyn posted a series of emotional Instagram Stories accusing his parents of attempting to "endlessly ruin" his marriage to Nicola, 31, and prioritizing publicity and brand image over family relationships. He also claimed they spread "countless lies" to the press and alleged that Victoria disrupted his wedding dance and that his parents pressured him over rights to his name before the ceremony.
"I do not want to reconcile with my family," Brooklyn wrote. "I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life."
David had earlier avoided questions about the situation while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, marking his first public appearance since Brooklyn's posts.
A source previously told PEOPLE that the relationship between Brooklyn and his parents is "not beyond repair," noting that David and Victoria "love him deeply" but are hurt by his public statements. Another insider added that the couple has repeatedly asked Brooklyn and Nicola to meet privately to work toward reconciliation.
