Nicole Richie Shares Her Hands-On Approach to Handling Social Media with Her 2 Teens

Nicole Richie is making sure she's in the know when it comes to social media.

As a guest on the Thursday, Dec. 12 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show alongside her best friend and former costar Paris Hilton, the Simple Life alum, 43, opened up about how she approaches social media and its impact on her two kids: daughter Harlow, 16, and son Sparrow, 15, whom she shares with husband, Joel Madden.

"Well, the platforms are there and they exist, and that is how people that age communicate with each other," the proud mom says. "And, you know, I think I have been more inclined to, instead of make it this forbidden thing, to really, first of all, understand it on my own so that I know the world that they know."

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Related: Nicole Richie Says She and Daughter Harlow, 16, ‘Share Everything’ When It Comes to Clothing and Makeup (Exclusive)

She adds, "The digital world and the real world are very different things, but it's very real."

Richie continues to share that one of the most important things for her to do as a parent is to "not, not know anything about the digital world because then that just separates me even more from this generation that grew up in that world."

While understanding the digital world has made it much easier for Richie to talk about it with Harlow and Sparrow, she admits that her kids are already aware of the risks that come with an online presence.

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"The more I understand it and then talk to them about it and, you know, just say to them, 'Anything that you put out there is going to be out there forever,' " she explains, adding "By the way, they know it. They know it very well."

Social media isn't the only thing Richie learns about from her children. In August, Richie told PEOPLE that when it comes to makeup and hair, she learns "everything" from Harlow.

“I learn everything from her,” Richie said. “You would think that I would know how to do my makeup after I have been getting it done for so long, but I'm really bad at it, and she teaches me everything."

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