Celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Tom Holland have taken breaks from social media for various reasons, including protecting their mental health, avoiding the negativity of online life, and maintaining privacy. While some, like Selena Gomez, step away to escape trolls and negative comparisons to others, others, like Ed Sheeran and Tom Holland, take breaks to connect with the real world and recharge before returning with new projects.
Celebrities Who Have Taken Breaks or Don’t Use Social Media
- Selena Gomez: Has stepped away from social media, at one point not having it on her phone at all, to find peace from trolls and the pressure of maintaining a public image.
- Adele and Ed Sheeran: Have both taken breaks from social media for their mental well-being and to experience life outside of a screen. Ed Sheeran described seeing the world through a screen rather than his eyes as a catalyst for his break.
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Withdrew from their royal social media presence, expressing a desire for more meaningful online commitments and emphasizing real human connection over endless scrolling.
- Tom Holland: Has taken steps back from social media for mental health reasons, joining a group of celebrities who prioritize their well-being over constant online engagement.
- Kim Kardashian: Took a three-month break after a traumatic event in 2016, and has taken other brief breaks to find peace and refresh her mind.
- Jonah Hill: Stepped back from social media, stating he would not be promoting his projects online and found the experience to be negative.
- Saoirse Ronan: Has maintained a distant relationship with technology, finding self-promotion uncomfortable and preferring to avoid the stress and pressure of online platforms.
Common Reasons for Quitting or Taking a Break
- Mental Health: Many celebrities, like Selena Gomez and Tom Holland, cite the negative impact of social media on their mental health as a primary reason for stepping away.
- Escape from Negativity: The experience of constant online negativity and arguments led one user to quit social media to feel a sense of relief and be able to breathe again.
- Privacy: Celebrities such as Sandra Bullock value their privacy and prefer to keep their personal lives out of the public eye.
- Disconnection from Reality: Ed Sheeran noted that he was seeing the world through a screen rather than his eyes, prompting a break to travel and experience the world more fully.
- Lack of Engagement and Time-Wasting: Some individuals, including one speaker on YouTube, found themselves mindlessly scrolling, wasting time, and not even engaging with friends’ content.