Matthew McConaughey’s Life Lessons for Teen Son Levi: ‘Take Your Time and Be Aware’

Camila Alves McConaughey, Matthew McConaughey and Levi Alves McConaughey attend the 2023 Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala at ACL Live at Moody Theatre in Austin, Texas on April 27, 2023. Hubert Vestil/Getty Images

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has shared words of wisdom with his eldest son, Levi, who recently turned 16.

The 54-year-old took to Instagram on July 7, posting a video montage of photos with his firstborn, along with a voiceover offering some tangible advice as he gets older.

“Alright Levi, coming on that age, buddy. About to be out on your own,” began Mr. McConaughey. “Me and your mom hope we’ve done as good of a job as we can. You’re not gonna really have us as a safety net out there in the wonderful, wild world forever.”

The father of three—who shares Levi with wife Camila Alves McConaughey—advised his son to stay humble and not be naive.

“Just go out, enjoy. Be aware of your surroundings. Be yourself. Know when to say yes, know when to say no, know when to say maybe,” he continued. “See the good in everybody else, but know that not everyone else is always paying attention.”

He concluded his message with, “Take your time. Enjoy the journey.”

Recently, the actor and his son starred in a Father’s Day Lincoln campaign in which the two talk cars. Mr. McConaughey warns that one must be extremely careful when driving, as not everyone follows the rules of the road.

“Now, your mother and I, we hope we’ve raised you well enough to be responsible for yourself, to take care of yourself, to be aware of your surroundings. Driving yourself for the first time, I‘d be lying if I said we weren’t both a little bit nervous. But that’d be natural, I think,” said Mr. McConaughey.

The actor and his model wife also have a daughter, Vida, 14, and another son, Livingston, 11.

The couple celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary last month. They tied the knot in 2012 at their home in Austin, Texas.

With Levi starting to follow in his father’s famous footsteps, the couple slowly introduced more freedom to the teen, specifically on social media.

For his 15th birthday last year, Levi was granted permission to use social media as a present despite the couple’s reluctance.

The “Interstellar” star admits they debated the decision for about three years, adding they’ve been “holding up” while all his friends were already actively online.

“He knows who he is, and he knows where he’s going. I think he can handle it. He’s got a great story to tell and share. I want to let all y’all know, you’re getting a very cool and respectful young man in Levi McConaughey, coming at ya, and I hope y’all can do your best to treat him the same way,” he said.

While the internet can be challenging for young users, Mr. McConaughey hopes his son will enjoy the experience creatively and expressively.

“Levi, enjoy the adventure, enjoy sharing your story, expressing yourself and what you put out there and the exchange you get with people out there.”