Selena Gomez, once the most-followed person on Instagram and still in the top three, believes that social media has been terrible for her generation.
The 26-year-old spoke candidly about the modern threat on Wednesday during a news conference at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, where she was promoting Jim Jarmusch’s zombie horror-comedy “The Dead Don’t Die.” The film also stars Bill Murray, Chloe Sevigny, Adam Driver and Tilda Swinton.
Gomez, seated between Swinton and Murray, took the reins when the conversation turned to the contemporary dangers that most worry the cast and crew.
“I think that our world is going through a lot, obviously. I would say for my generation, specifically — what Jim gestured to in the film — is that social media has really been terrible for my generation,” the actress-singer said.
“I understand that it’s amazing to use your platform. But it does scare me when you see how exposed these young girls and these young boys are. They’re not really aware of the news or anything going on,” she added. “I think it’s dangerous for sure. I don’t think people are getting the right information sometimes.”
The “Back to You” singer said she thought it was impossible to make social media safe at this point: “There’s no blocking anything. They’re exposed to it immediately.”
And though she’s grateful to have the platform and has amassed 150 million followers on Instagram (she previously had the most-liked photo on the app too), Gomez says she’s been much more cognizant of what she posts and why. She avoids sharing “pointless pictures” and aims to “be more intentional with it.”
“It just scares me, that’s all. I see these young girls at meet and greets. They’re devastated, dealing with bullying and not being able to have their own voice,” she explained.
“I mean, it can be great in moments, but I would just be careful and allow yourself some time limits of when you should use it.”
