Jenny Mollen has faced swift backlash online after sharing two affectionate photos with her 12-year-old son, Sid, including a caption that drew sharp criticism. The actress, who is estranged from Jason Biggs, later deleted the caption and said she “stand[s] by
When Jenny Mollen posted two intimate photos of her oldest son, Sid, the reaction on social media was immediate—and harsh.
On May 25, the 47-year-old actress shared the images in an Instagram post. In the first photo. Mollen and Sid. 12. appeared wrapped in a tight embrace while lying on a bed. with their faces obscured as they nuzzled against each other. In the second photo, she was seen lying on top of Sid as he cradled her face in his arms.
The caption—Mollen’s original wording—was what ignited the backlash. “Your eldest will be the most toxic [boyfriend] you ever have,” she wrote.
Within days, the post drew widespread criticism from commenters who said the physical closeness and the “boyfriend” framing crossed a line. Many focused on the message they believed the photos and caption sent about a parent-child bond.
Mollen later deleted the post’s caption but did not retreat from her stance. In a May 26 comment, she wrote: “I stand by this!”
Her defense and the reaction have played out against the backdrop of a very public family shift. Mollen’s controversy comes about a month after she revealed her separation from longtime husband Jason Biggs. The former couple has two children together: sons Sid and Lazlo, 8.
In a May 14 statement, a representative for Mollen and Biggs said the pair is “on great terms and remain focused on raising their two boys.”
The fight over Mollen’s post also echoes other remarks she has made about parenting and anxiety around her son growing up. In a May 10 essay on her Substack profile. Mollen described her “anxiety about her son growing up and navigating romantic relationships.” In one anecdote. she said she “complained” to Biggs about a girl Sid was talking to at the time. remarking that the girl’s appeal was “my brand of toxic” and “wasn’t even hotter than me.”.
As the photos continued to circulate, criticism escalated. The post has racked up over 1,000 comments, as of publication.
Among the harshest reactions was an Instagram user who wrote: “Hugging your kids: Healthy and encouraged. Calling your child your boyfriend and posting photos of you lying between their legs on a bed: Not healthy or encouraged.” The commenter added. “Your child is not your boyfriend. A boyfriend is a romantic partner.”.
Other commenters—many describing themselves as mothers—also said the moment looked wrong or risky online. One user wrote, “I have five boys ages 11 [to] 2. We cuddle, we snuggle and wrestle. They love to cuddle mom,” adding, “Do we lay like this?. HELL no. Do I make references to dating them?. Absolutely not. [What] even is that?. This is why people say boy moms are weird.”.
Another commenter said, “As a single mom with a boy, this is setting off five-alarm bells!” and insisted, “Our boys are our sons, not our companions. LEAVE THEM SPACE TO BE.”
A third user wrote that her son is “almost 12 and is very attached and snuggly,” but said, “girl, this is weird???” and warned, “This will be on the internet forever. Think about how your son will feel about this in a few years.”
Still, not all responses were condemnatory. Some defended Mollen by framing her behavior as typical parental affection rather than something sexual or inappropriate. One commenter wrote, “This is adorable!. [I] have two boys. 9 and 11. and this is how we sleep every night. lol. ” and described the photos as “Intertwined and hugging. it’s beautiful!”.
Another defended her intent. writing: “I think most emotionally mature people understand that she is basically showing motherly affection to her son. and she thought it was funny and innocent to post. ” adding. “Obviously. social media has to weigh in. but I am confident that the majority of people understand her true intentions.”.
Mollen’s photos and caption landed with extra intensity because of how much they appeared to compress private parenting into a public performance—while also coinciding with a period of separation that has already made her personal life more scrutinized.
The dispute isn’t just about taste, either. It’s about interpretation—whether affectionate images and blunt language can be read as loving humor or as an unsettling message. After the backlash. Mollen’s decision to delete the caption while doubling down in a May 26 comment left her critics with their strongest point: that her intent may not be the part that matters most to others watching.
MISRYOUM has reached out to Mollen’s representatives for comment.
Mollen has also linked her feelings about parenting and life changes to emotional highs and lows. In a May 25 newsletter on her Substack. she wrote: “When you’re young and ambitious. or maybe just middle-aged with ADHD. it feels impossible to appreciate anything while you’re in it. ” and added. “The highest highs of my life have all hit like pennies disappearing into a bottomless well.”.
Jenny Mollen Jason Biggs Sid Biggs Lazlo Biggs parenting controversy Instagram backlash social media criticism Substack essay PDA celebrity news U.S. entertainment
12?? That caption is just wild.
I didn’t even know what to think, like why use “boyfriend” at all if he’s her kid? Even if she was joking, it’s gonna look creepy to people.
Okay but they’re “face obscured” and it’s on a bed like everyone posts couple pics, so maybe people are overreacting? The caption part, yeah toxic boyfriend is a weird phrase, but I’ve seen worse on IG. Idk, the divorce timing makes it seem like drama more than anything.
Honestly parents need to stop trying to be “relatable” online. A 12-year-old shouldn’t be in anything that looks like romantic content, even if they’re mom and son. And she “stands by” it… that’s not helping. Also she’s estranged from Jason Biggs so everybody just picks a side, like this is all about custody or something. It’s just messy.