I quit social media over abuse, reveals Gemma
ACTRESS Gemma Arterton has disclosed that she quit social media because the online abuse she received badly affected her self-confidence.
Last year, the 32-year-old was attacked on Twitter for suggesting that women should leave work early to protest against the gender pay gap. Shortly afterwards she quietly retired from social media.
“I chickened out. I said what I felt and it got so much negative feedback,” she said yesterday.
“I’m quite a sensitive person as much as I go out there and say how I feel. It was making me too insecure.”
She added: “I’ve got mixed feelings about social media. Since I’ve come off it I feel so much better about myself, but I understand why people use it and love it.”
However the British star of new film Escape said the episode gave her the impetus to become more involved with women’s rights campaigns.
Ms Arterton said: “I thought I’d rather do something active than just tweet. Sometimes Twitter is fantastic for getting a message out, but it’s not the most active thing.”
Despite receiving a barrage of criticism for voicing her opinion publicly it has not put her off speaking out again. But to avoid being intimidated by bullies she makes sure she is well prepared.
“As long as I know what I’m talking about and I’ve got the facts. For example, at the beginning of this year I led the UK version of the Time’s Up movement for the Baftas. Obviously Time’s Up is about harassment in the workplace and sexual abuse.
“While I haven’t ever been sexually harassed, I want to use my voice in the correct way. I was really nervous about speaking out for women who have been, but luckily I was surrounded by all these wonderful activists who gave me loads and loads of information.
“I love talking about women’s rights, but I’m not ‘The Spokesperson’. I’m the messenger,” she added.