Selena Gomez Says She Hasn't Used The Internet In Four Years

Selena Gomez has revealed that she hasn't been on the internet in four-and-a-half years in a bid to help her mental health.

In 2020, Gomez publicly opened up about her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and has spoken out about her struggles with depression and anxiety too.

The Wizards of Waverly Place star - like many young actors and musicians thrust into the spotlight early on in life - has found that her battles with her mental health have often been exacerbated by social media.

Despite still having an active social media presence on Instagram - where she has over 300 million followers and in 2016 was dubbed the 'queen' of the platform - the singer explained that it has nearly been a whole five years since she last went on the internet.

She told Good Morning America: "It has changed my life completely. I am happier, I am more present, I connect more with people.

"I understand how powerful the internet is, and in so many ways it's done the best things for the world. But for me, I get to my news that is actually important I get through people in my life.

"And everything else I could care less, because it's not my business to care about people's other business."

Gomez's internet break subsequently implies that she's had someone else running her social media accounts for her.

Instead of falling victim to endless scrolling, the singer has been focusing her time on raising awareness around mental health through her new platform Wondermind which she co-founded with Mandy Teefey and Daniella Pierson.

Gomez explained: "I understand that feeling of having no one and - it's pure - it's just sadness - and I know what that feels like. And I still have days where sometimes I feel like that. It's just unfortunately part of it.

"But that's what we're trying to do here [with Wondermind]. We want there to be a community and a space for people to feel like they're OK - that they're not alone."

Wondermind's content is 'vetted by an expert committee of the world's best psychiatrists, therapists and social workers with incredibly diverse backgrounds,' according to its founders.

Pierson concluded: "Wondermind is not just for people who have a diagnosed mental illness -- this is for anyone who has feelings.

"It's for anyone who ever feels sad, lonely, scared, anxious and we're really not labeling anybody."

If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone