United Kingdom, March 17 -- Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman have let their son Eric have his own phone under strict conditions.

The media mogul and his wife have backtracked on their phone ban for the 12-year-old boy after an "honest conversation" which made them re-evaluate their rules.

Taking to Instagram, Lauren explained: "For a long time Simon and I were very firm about one thing, no phone for Eric. (Simon himself hasn't had a phone for nearly 8 years!)

"But recently Eric had a very honest conversation with us about it that made us rethink our position slightly.

"He now has a phone with some very clear boundaries. The main one being, no social media. Just texting and calling friends and family.

"Parenting in the current world ...