Emilia Clarke avoids Instagram scrolling to protect mental health

British actress Emilia Clarke has stated that using Instagram makes her feel “miserable” within 30 seconds of scrolling. In an interview with Marie Claire UK, the former ‘Game of Thrones’ star explained that she utilizes a “post and ghost” strategy, where she shares updates to her 27 million followers but avoids browsing the platform to protect her well-being.

Clarke noted that social media cannot replace genuine human connections or provide real emotional support, remarking, “An algorithm isn’t going to keep you warm at night. It’s not going to give you your wildest dreams. It’s not gonna make you laugh. It’s not gonna support you.”

Her personal experience aligns with scientific research. A large-scale review published in the journal Body Image, involving over 55,000 participants, found that social comparison on social media is linked to increased body dissatisfaction and higher rates of eating disorder symptoms. Other studies have indicated that even brief periods of scrolling can negatively impact mood compared to using neutral websites.