Jenna Ortega, a 21-year-old actress, expressed her strong dislike of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in a recent interview with The New York Times. She acknowledged the potential benefits of A.I., such as early detection of diseases like breast cancer, but revealed that her personal experience with the technology has been negative. Ortega recounted receiving explicit doctored photos of herself as a child star, which made her feel uncomfortable and violated. She mentioned that she was first exposed to such inappropriate content when she opened her first direct message at the age of 12, sparking a series of similar incidents throughout her career.
As a young actress, Ortega rose to fame through roles in TV shows like Jane the Virgin and Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle. Alongside her growing popularity, she also faced the dark side of social media, with fans sending her unsolicited sexual images and altered photos. Ortega revealed that she initially joined Twitter to build her image as a public figure but ultimately deleted her account due to the overwhelming influx of inappropriate messages. She described feeling uncomfortable and unsafe, leading her to take a break from social media to protect her mental health and well-being.
The actress highlighted the impact of receiving doctored images based on her characters, particularly after the release of the popular Netflix show Wednesday. Ortega shared that the increased exposure brought more unwanted content her way, causing her to feel confused and distressed. Despite being in her early twenties, Ortega emphasized the challenges of navigating adulthood while facing pressures from the public eye. She acknowledged that learning to protect herself and set boundaries is a crucial aspect of her personal growth and well-being.
Ortega admitted to struggling with the expectations placed on her as a young public figure and the pressure to maintain a certain image online. She expressed her ongoing efforts to find a balance between her personal life and her public persona, recognizing the need to prioritize her mental health and self-care. The actress mentioned that she deleted her social media account a few years ago to distance herself from the harmful content and focus on her growth as an individual. Ortega’s candid reflections shed light on the complexities of being a young celebrity in the digital age and the importance of setting boundaries in the face of online harassment and invasion of privacy.
Despite her negative experiences with technology and social media, Ortega remains hopeful about the potential for A.I. to bring positive change to the world. She acknowledged the advancements in medical technology enabled by artificial intelligence but called for a more responsible and ethical use of the technology. Ortega’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting one’s mental health in the digital age and the impact of online harassment on individuals, especially young celebrities. By sharing her struggles and reflections, Ortega encourages others to prioritize their well-being and advocate for a safer online environment for all users.
