Selena Gomez Worries Social Media Can Be 'Dangerous' for Young Girls

Selena Gomez, everyone’s favorite Disney-youth-turned-superstar, uses her fame to speak out about issues facing youth. She has been very focused on how cyber-bullying and social media pressures are negatively impacting younger generations.

Gomez regularly puts internet trolls in their place and speaks out against cyber bullying.

Selena Gomez says that everyone gets bullied sometimes

No matter how blessed you are, or how great your life is, when people say mean things it hurts your feelings. At least, that’s how the conversation goes down when Gomez sat down with Ellen DeGeneres to discuss her single “Who Says” in 2011. She’s continued to speak out about how damaging she believes social media can be throughout her career.

As one of the most-followed people on Instagram, (she’s neck and neck with Ariana Grande for second most-followed person, behind the swoon-worthy Cristiano Ronaldo) its no surprise that sometimes people say mean things to Gomez on social media. However, she’s using it as a platform to bash bullies and uplift those who have experienced cyber bullying first hand.

Selena worries that social media will have a negative impact on younger generations

Gomez has been in the spotlight since childhood. It’s something she has grown up with and is very used to.

But, just because you’re used to people following you around with cameras and prying into your personal life doesn’t mean that its an easy thing to handle. Because she has achieved such worldwide fame, she is one of the most sought after celebrities on social media too. Sometimes, she’s noted, she has to delete the app from her phone because she gets so wrapped up in negativity.

“You can’t avoid it [negativity] sometimes,” Selena explained to the New York Times in 2017. “I delete the app from my phone at least once a week. You fixate on the [negative] ones. They’re not like, ‘You’re ugly.’ It’s like they want to cut to your soul.”

Though she has taken a stand against bullies and urges young people to stay away from using too much screen time, she admits that sometimes she appreciates what social media offers. “It can be great in moments, but I would just be careful and allow yourself some time limits,” Gomez said. She insists that she is very “intentional” with all of her posts and doesn’t linger online long.

Gomez says she makes efforts to stay away from social media

Even when she tries to avoid it the hurtful things that people say on social media have a way of reaching the star. Also, the bullies somehow find a way to focus on the really hurtful things that a person is insecure about already. Her fame and success make her an easy target. 

“Imagine all the insecurities that you already feel about yourself and having someone write a paragraph pointing out every little thing, even if it’s just physical,” Gomez said. These dangers can be especially impactful on young people.

Gomez is no stranger to the dangers of social media and speaks out against using it too much

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoFlrM7gwnK/

Selena regularly takes social media breaks, and despite it being a lucrative part of her celebrity status, recently called social media both “selfish” and “dangerous” to people of her generation. Selena, who was supposed to be promoting her new movie The Dead Don’t Die, instead went off on a tangent about the dangers of social media. 

“I think our world is going through a lot, obviously, but I would say social media has really been terrible for my generation.” The star 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 boys are. They are not really aware of the news or anything going on…It’s a very, I don’t want to say selfish because that sounds rude, but I think it’s dangerous. I don’t think people are getting the right information.”

Regardless of how much she uses social media herself, the actress realizes that it can have dangerous consequences for young people ill-prepared to deal with the bullies that lurk there.

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