Black Mirror: Bandersnatch's Will Poulter is stepping back from social media to protect his mental health

3 January 2019, 12:14

By Katie Louise Smith

25-year-old actor Poulter is taking a step back from social media to protect his own mental health following the release of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

Following his appearance as Colin Ritman in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Will Poulter has announced that he is taking a "step back" from Twitter in the interest of his mental health.

Will shared a statement on Twitter yesterday explaining that he will be taking some time away from social media following the release of the interactive Netflix film. In the statement, Will wrote: "In light of my recent experiences I am choosing to take a step back, of sorts, from Twitter."

His statement continues: "Before I do, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everybody who has watched 'Bandersnatch' and for their responses (whatever they may be) to the material we created. I accept all criticisms and it’s been a delight to learn that so many of you enjoyed what many people worked very hard to produce!"

"As we all know there is a balance to be struck in our engagements with social media. There are positives to enjoy and inevitable negatives that are best avoided. It’s a balance I have struggled with for a while now and in the interest of my mental health I feel the time has come to change my relationship with social media."

Despite taking a bit of a step back from Twitter, Will said that he will continue to work with various anti-bullying charities on social media. In case you didn't know, Will is a very vocal and active anti-bullying advocate and has been for many years. "I don’t want to appear unappreciative of all the amazing support I have received online for which I am genuinely so grateful, nor do I want my disengagement with social media to be at the expense of any of the organisations I am lucky to work with," he continued.

"So I will still be posting occasionally for and with @AntiBullyingPro @leap_cc @MayMeasure and @bptcompany among others. I am privileged to have this platform. I hope that this shift to reduce my personal expression and increase the focus on issues that matter will result in a better outcome for everyone."

He ended the statement with a reference to Bandersnatch, saying “this is not the end. Consider it an alternative path. With love, Will.”

Will didn't explicitly say why he was leaving the platform but fans seem to think that the negative tweets toward his appearance in Bandersnatch had something to do with it. After reading Will's statement, fans flocked to wish Will well, including John Boyega who commended Will for taking a break from all the noise.

Take all the time you need, Will!