Irish actress Nicola Coughlan has found a way to keep her sanity in a world obsessed with likes, shares, and endless scrolling.
The Bridgerton and Derry Girls star recently revealed that she deletes her social media apps after posting updates. This is her way to protect her mental space and avoid the negative impact of constant online attention. It's a move that's becoming more common among celebrities.
She's not alone. British-American actor Andrew Garfield, who stars alongside her in the new Magic Faraway Tree adaptation, has warned that people's attention is being commodified and exploited by tech companies.
With more stars openly talking about digital burnout, it's clear that taking a step back from social media is no longer seen as unusual. Now, it's part of a wider shift toward digital detox culture.
A Bold Social Media Break
Coughlan, 38, says she only uses social media when she has something work-related to share. 'I just download social media to post something and then delete it straight away as it can have a really negative impact', she told the BBC. It's a simple trick, but it's one that lets her enjoy life offline while still keeping fans updated on her projects.
Other celebrities are doing the same. Some announce public breaks to avoid 'doom scrolling', while others quietly step away after experiencing stress, online harassment, or just plain exhaustion.
And it's not just stars. More people are realising that a bit of time away from social platforms can improve focus, sleep, and overall well-being.
The Rise of Digital Detox Culture
'Digital detox', which means intentional reduction or pausing of online activity, is no longer a fringe idea. It used to be seen as a bold escape from modern life. Today, it's seen as a realistic way to take care of your mental and emotional health.
Research shows even short breaks from social media can reduce anxiety and mental fatigue. Apps and feeds are designed to grab our attention and keep it, but stepping back helps people reclaim control over their time and energy.
Experts argue that this shift reflects both psychological science and cultural fatigue. Social networks use constant stimulation, reward loops, and algorithm-driven feeds to keep people interested for as long as possible. Over time, this can make it harder to focus and create a pull that is almost addicting, especially for people whose jobs depend on consistent visibility like actors or influencers.
For Coughlan, this is more than an issue of mental health. It's about prioritising what really matters. Garfield echoed this, saying we need to put effort into 'divesting our attention and reconnecting with eternal things like nature.'
Rejecting Labels, Not Criticism
It's worth noting that Coughlan's decision to stop using social media has nothing to do with the usual celebrity narratives around image or appearance.
When asked about past comments made about her body, she made it clear that her social media stance isn't meant to block attention from her looks. Instead, Coughlan based her stance on rejecting all labels, focusing on the value of her work and not how her body is discussed online.
How Celebs Influence Online Habits
As celebs take a step back, they not only affect what fans talk about, but also how people think about digital health. When widely recognised figures make space for themselves offline, it normalises the idea that you don't have to be connected all the time—and that it's okay to prioritise mental well-being over likes and shares.
Along with the larger trend, more people are becoming aware of how social media can affect both youth and adults. Millions of people have already taken breaks from platforms to keep their health in check, and many more see digital limits as an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
In this context, Coughlan's off-platform approach is both a personal strategy and a cultural sign. By changing how she interacts with the internet, she joins a growing group of public figures and everyday users who are wondering what it means to live a good life in a world full of screens.
