Will Smith has recently discussed his parenting approach, particularly the method of "radical honesty" he and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, employed while raising their children. In a June 2025 interview, Smith acknowledged that this approach led to unintended consequences, stating, "We made a very, very, very terrible mistake with our children and we went with radical honesty. Don't do it." He explained that the method involved an agreement with their children that as long as they told the truth, they wouldn't face consequences. However, he noted that this led to situations where their children would engage in activities and then inform them afterward, which he found challenging. Smith humorously added, "You want your kids to lie. You definitely—you don't want to know some of the stuff your kids are thinking and doing."
In June 2025, Jaden Smith, the couple's son, was spotted in Paris with an unidentified companion. The footage showed them sitting on a park bench with a lighter and an unidentified smoking device nearby, though neither was in use. This incident sparked online discussions and criticism regarding the Smith family's parenting style. Some observers questioned the effectiveness of their approach, with comments such as, "Great parenting, Will and Jada. Not."
These events have prompted broader conversations about parenting methods and their impact on children. Will Smith's reflections and the subsequent public reactions highlight the complexities and challenges of raising children in the public eye, especially when unconventional parenting strategies are employed.