Emma Watson reveals how ‘incredibly dangerous’ social media can be

She's got a point...

Words by Jadie Troy-Pryde

Emma Watson is never afraid to speak her mind. Since that now famous UN talk, she has made it her mission to talk about important feminist issues - whether it's discussing why she believes many men hate film heroines, or explaining her heartbreaking reaction to feminist backlash.

With Beauty and the Beast well on it's way to becoming one of Disney's most profitable films, Emma has been promoting her upcoming film The Circle. Starring alongside Hollywood heavyweight Tom Hanks and Dr Who favourite Karen Gillan, Emma takes on the role of Mae, a young girl hired to work at the most powerful internet company in the world. The movie is based on the bestselling book by Dan Eggers, a dystopian sci-fi thriller that explores our addiction to technology and the dark side of social media.

So while talking to Interview magazine, Emma spoke openly about how important it is to hold back from thrusting your entire life on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

'The story of my life has been of public interest,' she admitted, 'which is why I have been so passionate about having a private identity.'

It's not the first time Emma has spoken about her wish to keep her work separate from her private life. Just a few months ago, the 27 year-old actress revealed exactly why she never talks about her boyfriend. But it was her stark warning about social media that will resonate with people the most.

During the interview, Emma spoke to her friend Jessica Chastain, the Oscar-nominated actress who has also been vocal about the issues she has faced as a woman in Hollywood (including that one time a director told her she 'talks about too much women stuff).

'I love social media, and I love what it can do and how it brings people together, but used in the wrong way, it's incredibly dangerous. And, increasingly, our attention is our most important resource,' she said.

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'Before the press tour, I deleted my email app from my phone and really tried to create serious boundaries from it, because it is addictive. We need to make sure that we are using technology, and technology is not using us.'

The film will be released on 28 April, and Emma describes it as The Social Network meets All About Eve meets Panic Room. That's our bank holiday Monday sorted.