Pandemic blues make actors log off social media
The pros and cons of social networking sites have once again come to the forefront amid the pandemic. While many are using the tool to amplify their SOS call and seek help for Covid relief, some actors such as Amit Sadh, Esha Gupta and Warina Hussain are bidding an adieu to it, though not without a reason.
“The only benefit I saw was when someone reached out to me and I used the platform to help raise money for a Covid patient. Other than that, it has its drawbacks and advantages, with the disadvantages outnumbering the advantages,” says Hussain, who had quit social media on April 24.
Earlier actor Aamir Khan “dropped the pretence” to go back to the earlier way of communicating and announced quitting social media on his birthday, March 14. While his Dangal co-star, Fatima Sana Shaikh shared her decision without stating any reason.
According to actor Samir Soni, the space has turned out to be “confusing”, with the growing number of trolls. “Recently, I took a break because I didn’t feel I had anything to add,” says Soni, who continues to post a little bit now. “More like reposting stuff…,” he says.
Moreover, some individuals using social media to show off their “privileged life” even amid the crisis, is what made actor Amit Sadh take a break from it. “I just decided to stop posting…this isn’t the right time to flaunt our privileges,” he reasons, adding that going offline doesn’t mean “detaching from or abandoning fans”.
According to psychotherapist Radhika Bapat, trolling is the biggest reason driving celebs off social media. Another reason, she adds, is the overwhelming number of people who connect with them expecting immediate responses. “When these responses aren’t given, people get personally affected and attribute the lack of response to the celebrity being rude,” explains Bapat.