Serena Williams Discusses Parenting in the Digital Age and Embracing Girl Power

In a world marked by constant change and unpredictability, raising daughters comes with unique challenges that can feel overwhelming for many parents.

From the pressures of social media to global crises, today’s landscape can seem daunting for anyone navigating parenthood.

Serena Williams, tennis legend and mother of two, recently shared her insights on these challenges during a conversation with journalist and podcast host Caris Swisher at a prominent event.

Williams, who is known for her powerful presence on the tennis court, revealed that she is just as vigilant when it comes to raising her young daughters in today’s digital world. “It’s a scary world; it’s a digital world for youngsters right now,” she explained to the audience.

“I’m always on with my kid, but we don’t let her on some platforms.” The 42-year-old athlete expressed her concern over the vast amount of content available online and the ease with which children can access it.

“With everything available online and the access that kids have in a second, you never know what can come to them,” she noted, underscoring the importance of parental control and guidance in this fast-paced, internet-driven era.

As the mother of 7-year-old Olympia and 1-year-old Adira River, Williams has embraced a cautious yet hopeful approach to raising her daughters. “I’m trying to think positively,” she said. “We might try to take things easy with her and go a little bit slower with devices, just let her be a kid for as long as you can.”

In a world where digital devices dominate daily life, Serena Williams is clearly focused on preserving the innocence of childhood for as long as possible, allowing her daughter to enjoy the simplicity of being young.

Williams also revealed that her eldest daughter, Olympia, is already showing her own brand of “girl power,” but not in the conventional sense of fairytale princesses. Instead, Olympia is a proud fan of pop superstar Taylor Swift.

“My daughter just turned seven. She’s not into princesses—she’s like, ‘Taylor Swift.’ And I am too,” Williams shared with a smile, adding her own admiration for the pop icon. As millions of people worldwide embrace Swift’s music and message, it seems Olympia is no different, proving that girl power can come in many forms.

Despite her status as a global icon and multi-Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams remains humble about her journey as a mother. When it comes to parenting advice, she admitted she’s always open to suggestions. “Please give it to me, thank you very much,” Williams said with a laugh. “I don’t have any advice.”

She further reflected on the pressures of motherhood, candidly admitting, “Wake up—that’s all I do. I could hardly wake up today.” Her humorous and relatable comments resonated with many parents who understand the daily grind of raising children.

However, Williams went on to deliver an inspiring message about what it truly means to be a champion. “I feel like everybody’s a champion—you don’t have to be winning Wimbledon or a gold medal to be a champion,” she remarked. “Being a champion is simply about being there for your kids. I believe that’s a great champion.”

In addition to Olympia, Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, also share their second daughter, Adira River, who recently turned one.

Despite her impressive career accomplishments and worldwide fame, Williams is focused on one of the most important roles of her life: being a mother.

As she continues to navigate the challenges of raising children in today’s fast-paced world, Serena Williams serves as a reminder that true success lies in love, support, and simply being present for one’s family.