Actor Nicola Coughlan has revealed she has removed social media apps from her phone, citing the toll they have taken on her mental wellbeing. The Bridgerton star said she now only briefly reinstalls platforms when needed for professional use, before deleting them again.
Speaking to BBC, the 38-year-old explained that her relationship with social media has shifted significantly as her profile has grown. “I just download social media to post something and then delete it straight away as it can have a really negative impact,” she said, describing the experience as overwhelming rather than beneficial.
Coughlan’s decision comes amid ongoing conversations about the pressures placed on public figures online, particularly around appearance. The Galway-born actor recently addressed commentary surrounding her body following her appearance in the latest season of Bridgerton. Despite wearing a size 10 during filming, she said she was repeatedly described as “plus-size,” something she found both inaccurate and troubling.
Reflecting on the experience, she noted that much of the attention shifted away from her performance and onto her appearance. “People talked about how I was plus size… How f**ed are we that I am the biggest woman you want to see on screen?”* she said. She also recounted uncomfortable encounters with fans, including one instance where a stranger focused solely on her body rather than her work. “I want to die. I hate this so much,” she recalled feeling at the time.
Her comments echo wider concerns within the entertainment industry about the impact of online culture. Fellow actor Andrew Garfield, who stars alongside her in an upcoming project, suggested that social media platforms are fundamentally altering human attention. “The more we live through this technological revolution, the more we understand that our consciousness is being hijacked,” he said, adding that attention has become a commodity exploited by tech companies.
Actor Claire Foy also weighed in, stressing that the issue extends beyond celebrity circles. “It affects all of us,” she said, pointing to the pervasive influence of digital platforms on everyday life.
Coughlan’s move to limit her exposure reflects a growing trend among high-profile figures seeking healthier boundaries with technology, as debates continue about the psychological effects of constant online engagement.
