Emma Stone has shared why she chooses to stay off Instagram, saying the decision is rooted in protecting her mental well-being rather than avoiding public attention.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, the 37-year-old actress said she has deliberately kept her distance from mainstream social media, even as it has become a key tool for Hollywood stars to connect with fans and peers. Stone explained that she is wary of the impact constant online engagement could have on her mental health, describing herself instead as a quiet observer of internet culture.
“That’s why I don’t even have Instagram,” the Oscar winner said, adding that she prefers to “lurk” and follow other people’s content without actively participating.
While largely offline, Stone revealed she is an avid reader on Substack, where she subscribes to a range of blogs covering fashion, creative writing and occasional celebrity gossip. She admitted she spends “a lot of money” on the platform, calling herself a devoted reader after years of following blogs dating back to the LiveJournal era.
The actress was speaking while promoting a new Super Bowl commercial for Squarespace, directed by Bugonia filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. In the advertisement, set to air on February 8, Stone attempts to buy the domain bearing her own name and build a website. She revealed that this storyline mirrored real life, as she had only recently secured the domain EmmaStone.com.
Stone said she had never previously considered purchasing her own domain, despite an early interest in building websites during her school years. She recalled designing basic sites and even creating digital presentations as a child, long before becoming a global film star.
Reflecting on the commercial, Stone joked that it would have been strange if someone else had owned her name online, adding that she was grateful Squarespace “dealt with my lack of foresight”.
Stone’s Super Bowl appearance comes ahead of a busy awards season. She is nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her role in Bugonia, which is also in contention for Best Picture. The film marks another collaboration with Lanthimos, following her Oscar-winning performance in Poor Things, and sees Stone serving as both lead actress and producer.
Despite her continued success and high-profile projects, Stone’s stance on social media highlights a growing conversation in the entertainment industry about digital boundaries, personal well-being and the pressure to maintain an online presence.
