Selena Gomez Thinks Instagram is "Destroying" Some of Her Generation

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When it comes to social media and its greater impact on the the way we live our lives, Selena Gomez isn't quite sold.

Despite having been one of the most followed people on Instagram at one point, with the pop superstar having slid to fourth most followed (167 million is nothing to sneeze at), Gomez has some thoughts on the platform.

While answering celebrity and fan questions during an interview with Dazed magazine, Gomez received an inquiry from photographer Brianna Capozzi: would she get rid of Instagram if she could "hit a button" and do so?

"Oh gosh! I think I'd have a lot of people not liking me for saying yes," said Gomez. "If I could find a balanced, happy medium that would be great, but I would be lying if I said that it isn't destroying some of my generation, their identity. It's a huge part of why I named my album Rare—because there's so much pressure to look the same as everyone else. It was scary going back on—the first four days I was like, 'No, there's no way I can do this.' What I do now is to only go on it when I feel like I need to, and then I'll just log off, I won't take time to explore or look at anything else."

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She also explained ways that she copes with the harmful things that are said online about her: mostly by not paying a single iota of attention to it.

"Well, I don't read anything, I don't read any single thing," she said. "That's been kind of hard, because I was used to reading everything for so long. But I don't, and I mean that. You know, when I found out that [Rare] was getting great reviews I appreciated hearing it but I just can't pay attention: the moment I do I start getting insecure and I just feel empty. It's so much nicer not to know sometimes."

Gomez plans on looking forward for the future, even with all the hurt that using social media can offer, she confirmed later during the interview. She's focusing on "leaving behind" the girl she once knew who was "timid, weak, abused, and silent." That much is quite evident from her latest album release, Rare.

"Now I'm stepping into who I'm meant to be; I'm leaving that girl behind. I'm giving her a hug. I am who I am."

If that means stepping aside from social media when things get too rough, then so be it.