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.
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“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.”
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Priyanka Chopra, from left with husband Nick Jonas, and Elle Fanning were among the celebrities that stood out on the red carpet - often more than once - at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
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Julianne Moore has stepped out at the Cannes Film Festival in Givenchy Haute Couture on May 16 (left), and both Valentino (center) and Chloé (right) on May 17.
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Fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger Farhana Bodi hit the Cannes red carpet in an Atelier Zuhra gown.
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Aja Naomi King wears a peach-colored Zac Posen gown for a screening of “A Hidden Life (Une Vie Cachée)” at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Elton John made a splash at the “Rocketman” photo call in a custom Gucci ensemble that included a pastel blue two-button, notch-lapel suit with “Rocketman” and floral embroidery detail on the front and pastel blue acetate cat-eye sunglasses.
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Priyanka Chopra in Georges Hobeika with husband Nick Jonas on May 18, from left, in Fendi Couture on May 17 and solo on the red carpet for her Cannes debut in a strapless Roberto Cavalli gown.
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Actress Penelope Cruz in Chanel at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Actress-singer Golshifteh Farahani arrives at the Cannes Film Festival opening gala dinner in a Givenchy Haute Couture gown designed by Clare Waight Keller.
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Atelier Versace was behind two of the standout looks at the official Trophee Chopard dinner at Cannes on May 20, from left: Zhang Ziyi in a red strapless silk chiffon gown, and Guan Xiaotong in a pink gown with silk tulle column dress with an organza skirt.
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Taron Egerton in a gray velvet shawl-collar Tom Ford tuxedo jacket at the “Rocketman” party.
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Elle Fanning was among the sartorial standouts at Cannes opting for a Gucci gown on May 14 (left) and a floral Valentino confection the next day.
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Eva Longoria arrives at the Cannes Film Fesitval party for “Rocketman” wearing a white, long-sleeve, deep V-neck jumpsuit with silver embellishments by Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition.
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Taiwanese actress Wu Ke-Xi arrives for the Cannes Film Festival screening of “Le Jeune Ahmed (Young Ahmed)” wearing a multicolor tulle one-shoulder gown from Gucci with a crystal shoulder bow with crystal detailing.
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Richard Madden wears a Giorgio Armani tuxedo to the “Rocketman” party during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
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Dakota Fanning wore a pale pink sequin asymetrical dress with satin organza bow detail to the official Trophee Chopard dinner photo call.
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Indian actress and model Priyanka Chopra arrives for the screening of the film “Rocketman.”
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Singer Rita Ora at the Magnum party during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
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Model Alessandra Ambrosio arrives at the Cannes Film Festival’s opening ceremony and premiere of “The Dead Don’t Die.”
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Actress Eva Longoria
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Actress Chloë Sevigny arrives at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival in a custom Thierry Mugler black silk crepe dress with matching harness gloves and nude corset designed by Casey Cadwallader.
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Actress Tilda Swinton turned out to the opening gala dinner at the Cannes Film Festival in a pale gray embroidered gown by Haider Ackermann.
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Actor Javier Bardem arrives at the Cannes opening gala dinner in a custom Ermenegildo Zegna XXX tuxedo with a geometric jacquard shawl-collar, one-button evening jacket.
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Salma Hayek Pinault attends the Kering Women in Motion Awards at the Cannes Film Festival in a black evening dress with silver crystal chandelier embroidery from Alexander McQueen. She’s at the event with her husband, Kering Chairman and Chief Executive Officer François-Henri Pinault.
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Thai actress and model Sririta Jensen pulls focus on the “Rocketman” red carpet in Michael Cinco Couture.
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Singer-actress Selena Gomez arrives at the Cannes Film Festival opening gala dinner in a Louis Vuitton dress.
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Mauricio Zacharias, from left, British actor Ariyon Bakare, Belgian actor Jeremie Renier, French actress Isabelle Huppert, director Ira Sachs and French actor Pascal Greggory arrive for the screening of “Frankie” during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
For the occasion, Huppert wore a long-sleeve Giorgio Armani Privé dress embroidered entirely with sequins.
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Leonardo DiCaprio wears a Giorgio Armani midnight blue one-button peak lapel tuxedo, a white evening shirt and a bow tie for the screening of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
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Dakota Fanning wears a custom Giorgio Armani Privé white silk-satin bustier gown outfitted with a yellow satin sash.
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Model Hana Cross, left, and Brooklyn Beckham, both wearing looks from Salvatore Ferragamo, arrive at the premiere of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
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Model Karolína Kurková wears an Etro gown to the premiere of the film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Chloë Sevigny wears a pink Miu Miu cady dress with a duchesse black bow shoulder detail to the screening of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Adrien Brody wears a navy Giorgio Armani tuxedo trimmed in satin, a navy-blue evening shirt and a bow tie for the screening of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Marion Cotillard wears a deconstructed denim Balmain robe over black shorts and a high-neck crop top to the screening of ‘Matthias and Maxime’ (Matthias et Maxime) during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival.
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Russian model Natasha Poly, wearing a beaded strapless gown by Atelier Versace, arrives for the screening of “Roubaix, une lumiere” (Oh Mercy!) during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
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Adriana Lima wears a blue custom embroidered halter gown from Michael Kors Collection for the screening of ‘Roubaix, une lumiere’ (Oh Mercy!) during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
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Isabelle Huppert wears a grain smoking jacket, silk shirt and smoking trousers from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello for the photocall for “Frankie” during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
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