The Spider-Man star says his private Instagram use has led to hours of screen time while revealing he often thinks about stepping away from his acting career.

Andrew Garfield has opened up about his relationship with social media, admitting that he is “addicted” to a private Instagram account despite deliberately avoiding a public presence on social media.

Speaking to Variety, the 43-year-old actor said his phone’s screen-time notifications can be “horrific”, prompting him to question how much time he spends scrolling.

Garfield said he sometimes feels that he has given away hours of his life to his phone without getting anything meaningful in return.

The actor also criticised the way social media platforms are designed, arguing that they take advantage of users’ impulses and encourage them to continue consuming content.

Although Garfield does not maintain a public social media profile, he admitted that his private Instagram account can still draw him into unexpected online rabbit holes.

Among the subjects that have caught his attention are ceramics and Japanese craftspeople, demonstrating how seemingly harmless interests can lead to extended periods of browsing.

Andrew Garfield thinks about leaving acting

Garfield also revealed that he regularly considers stepping away from his successful acting career.

The actor explained that he has recently spent around 11 or 12 months working continuously on back-to-back projects.

While he acknowledged that promoting his work is part of being an actor, his comments suggest that the demanding nature of his career has prompted him to consider taking a break.

Garfield has previously spoken about the pressures associated with fame and the entertainment industry, and his latest comments highlight his desire to maintain a healthier relationship with technology and his professional life.

Andrew Garfield’s upcoming project

Despite considering a break from acting, Garfield has several projects ahead.

He is set to star alongside his partner, actress Monica Barbaro, in Artificial, an upcoming film directed by Luca Guadagnino.

The movie is centred on events surrounding OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s dramatic firing and subsequent return in 2023.

For now, Garfield continues to balance his busy acting schedule with his concerns about technology and social media, while acknowledging that stepping away from the industry remains something he thinks about regularly.