Stars Who Quit Social Media—and Why They’re Happier

Sometimes the happiest scroll is no scroll at all. More and more celebrities are stepping away from the perpetual feed—whether that means deleting apps, deactivating accounts, or never signing up in the first place. They’re trading dopamine hits for deeper focus, and likes for real-life calm.

What they’ve found on the other side isn’t silence—it’s space: for creativity, privacy, and mental health. From pop superstars to Oscar winners, here are 15 stars who quit social media (or keep it at arm’s length) and say they’re better for it.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez has taken multiple extended breaks from social platforms, openly saying the pause helped her protect her mental health. Instead of letting comments shape her day, she lets distance do the sorting.

She’s said life feels lighter when she’s not living in the instant-feedback machine. With boundaries in place, she channels energy into music, acting, and philanthropy—without checking whether every moment is “performing” well online.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland announced he was stepping back after realizing how easily he could spiral in the comment section. The star of ‘Spider-Man’ recognized the mental clutter that constant scrolling created.

Since pausing, he’s emphasized being present with the people in front of him. The result: better focus on craft, less background noise, and more room for actual rest between projects.

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen simply doesn’t do social media anymore—and has said she’s happier for it. The initial curiosity never outweighed the distraction tax.

Without the usual digital chorus, she keeps her life—and the character work—cleanly separated. It’s a quiet choice that leaves more headspace for roles, reading, and real-life relationships.

Daisy Ridley

After a wave of online negativity, the ‘Star Wars’ actor opted out of social media entirely. She realized the best way to win the game was not to play.

Walking away gave her back a sense of safety and control. She’s described feeling more grounded without the daily stream of unsolicited opinions and endless “engagement.”

Millie Bobby Brown

The ‘Stranger Things’ star has stepped away at times to protect her peace, deleting platforms where the noise got too loud. She’s been candid about how constant online commentary can distort self-image.

Hitting pause helped her reset her boundaries. Off the apps, she can tune into the people who actually know her—and tune out the rest.

Kelly Marie Tran

Another ‘Star Wars’ alum, Kelly Marie Tran left social media after relentless online pile-ons. Choosing herself over the scroll was an act of self-preservation.

The break allowed her to reconnect with why she acts in the first place: storytelling, not scorekeeping. With fewer digital demands, she’s centered joy, community, and craft.

Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson has a habit of nuking his accounts and keeping it that way. The former ‘Saturday Night Live’ comedian has said the platforms just aren’t good for him.

Unplugged, he avoids the whiplash of instant reactions and bad-faith hot takes. That distance makes it easier to do the work, enjoy his life, and leave the discourse to everyone else.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish has talked about deleting social apps from her phone altogether. When she noticed how posts and comments were messing with her head, she stopped feeding the loop.

The payoff? More mental quiet—and more time to actually make things. Without the constant tug of the feed, she’s freer to follow curiosity and protect her sense of self.

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran has repeatedly gone off-grid, announcing breaks to live without a screen glued to his hand. He’s framed it as a reset button for his brain and creativity.

Those sabbaticals tend to precede fresh chapters. When he’s not cataloging life in real time, he’s living it—and the music benefits from the breathing room.

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik has deactivated and reactivated more than once, candid about needing distance from the noise. It’s less a grand gesture and more a recurring boundary.

Each unplug offers a reminder: peace doesn’t require permission slips from strangers. He dips back in on his terms—and leaves again when it stops feeling healthy.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley famously tried Twitter for a blink before deciding, “Nope.” Even that brief taste was enough to confirm it wasn’t for her.

Skipping the socials keeps her attention on work and family, not mentions and metrics. Happiness, for her, is a life measured in real moments, not notifications.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone is another A-lister who’s opted out. She’s long suggested that life is simply better without the constant gaze and comparison.

By not performing a personality online, she saves that energy for performances on set. The upside is obvious: less pressure to curate, more freedom to create.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe avoids social media altogether, noting it would be too easy to fixate on what people are saying. The ‘Harry Potter’ lead prefers not to open that door.

With the apps out of reach, he’s insulated from the daily swirl of opinions. That cushion keeps him focused on projects and personal life—aka the stuff that actually matters.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock has said social platforms aren’t for her. The Oscar winner values privacy and calm over the constant churn of posting and reacting.

Staying offline lets her define success by her own metrics. The result is a steadier, saner work–life rhythm, minus the pressure to broadcast it.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan has consistently kept a low digital profile, explaining that social media just doesn’t make her feel good. Simple rule, simple boundary.

The absence brings presence. With fewer distractions, she can sink into roles and real relationships—and leave the performance to the screen.

Lorde

Lorde has talked about deleting social apps and using a “dumb” phone at times to break the doomscroll. She’s blunt about how the feed can warp attention and mood.

The quiet helped her rekindle curiosity and protect her creative well. Less algorithm, more art—an easy trade when happiness is the goal.

Share which star’s approach resonates with you most—and how stepping back (a little or a lot) has helped you—down in the comments.