In a candid interview with The New York Times ahead of the premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday, Jenna Ortega opened up about a deeply troubling experience that led her to delete her X account, formerly known as Twitter.
The 21-year-old actress shared that she removed the social media platform from her life after encountering disturbing AI-generated pornographic content involving herself as a child.
Ortega’s revelation comes as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of social media and artificial intelligence, particularly for young individuals.
At a young age, Ortega was subjected to explicit and unsettling content generated by AI, featuring edited images of her as a minor.
“Did I like being 14 and making a Twitter account because I was supposed to and seeing dirty edited content of me as a child? No,” Ortega said during the interview.
The experience was not only alarming but also profoundly distressing, leading her to question the safety and integrity of online platforms.
Ortega’s experience with AI-generated abuse highlights a significant issue in today’s digital age.
The misuse of artificial intelligence to create inappropriate content involving minors is a growing concern, and for Ortega, this abuse led to a deep sense of violation.
“It was disgusting, and it made me feel bad. It made me feel uncomfortable,” she recounted, recalling her first encounter with explicit direct messages at just 12 years old.
The unsettling nature of these interactions prompted her to take drastic action to protect herself.
Faced with the constant barrage of harmful content, Ortega made the decision to delete her X account, a choice that marked a significant shift in her approach to social media.
“Anyway, that’s why I deleted it, because I couldn’t say anything without seeing something like that,” she explained.
The emotional toll of dealing with such intrusive and damaging content led Ortega to conclude that the platform was no longer a space she wanted to be part of.
“So, one day, I just woke up, and I thought, ‘Oh, I don’t need this anymore.’ So, I dropped it,” she said.
Ortega’s departure from X was not just a personal decision but also a statement about the broader implications of online harassment and the need for better safeguards on social media platforms.
By stepping away from the platform, Ortega not only protected her own mental health but also highlighted the urgent need for reforms in how social media handles and moderates harmful content.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Jenna Ortega continues to advance her career with notable projects.
She is set to star in an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Klara and the Sun, directed by Taika Waititi.
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In this highly anticipated film, Ortega plays the eponymous robot, a role that contrasts sharply with her past experiences involving AI.
The project reflects Ortega’s resilience and her ability to navigate complex roles despite personal difficulties.
Additionally, Ortega was recently featured in Sabrina Carpenter’s new song “Taste” from her sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet.
Her involvement in high-profile collaborations and projects underscores her continued relevance and success in the entertainment industry, even as she navigates the challenges of online harassment and privacy invasions.
Ortega’s experience with AI and social media has sparked a broader conversation about the ethical implications of technology and the need for responsible use.
Her criticism of AI, calling it “terrifying” and expressing her desire to see it used for positive purposes, reflects growing concerns about the potential for technology to be misused.
“I hate AI,” Ortega asserted. “I mean, here’s the thing: AI could be used for incredible things…Let’s keep it to that.”
This dialogue about AI and social media is particularly relevant as more young people and celebrities face similar challenges.
Ortega’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the need for stricter regulations and better protections to prevent the misuse of technology and to safeguard individuals, especially minors, from exploitation and abuse.
