David Beckham has spoken publicly for the first time following his son Brooklyn Beckham’s explosive Instagram statement, addressing the situation by saying that children are allowed to “make mistakes” and that learning from them is part of growing up.

The former England football captain addressed the topic during a television interview while discussing the impact of social media on young people. Without mentioning Brooklyn by name, Beckham acknowledged that online platforms can be both positive and harmful, particularly for families in the public eye.

“Children are allowed to make mistakes,” Beckham said. “That’s how they learn. That’s how we all learn.”

His comments came a day after Brooklyn, 26, shared a lengthy and emotional series of Instagram stories accusing his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of controlling the public narrative around their family and undermining his marriage to actress Nicola Peltz Beckham. In the post, Brooklyn said he “does not want to reconcile” with his family and claimed he had been silent for years before deciding to speak out.

“I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life,” Brooklyn wrote, adding that he was “not being controlled” and that his decision to go public was driven by a desire for peace and autonomy.

Brooklyn also made several specific allegations, including claims that his parents interfered in his relationship and that long-standing tensions surrounding his 2022 wedding had never been resolved. David Beckham did not directly address Brooklyn’s specific accusations, nor has Victoria Beckham commented publicly on the situation.