BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Ruby Rose has had her own share of troubles with social media, but she’s scared about the effect it has on kids in school today.
The actress, promoting her upcoming turn as a caped crusader in CW’s “Batwoman,” due in the fall, has been outspoken about her troubles with mental health and bullying. But when asked if she thought 2019 might offer a more accepting experience, she was skeptical.
“Do I think if I were in high school right now, life would be easier? No. Social media is terrifying,” she told the Television Critics Association Sunday.
Rose, who received a fair share of online backlash when her casting as Kate Kane/Batwoman was announced in August 2018, sees progress in LGBTQ life and some good in social media.
“I do think we’re coming a long way in acceptance, and we’re getting a lot more representation on television,” she says. “In a way, social media is great because you can find communities; you can find people that are like yourself; you can find people who will help support you.”
But, she adds, “at the same time, it’s a whole portal of people being able to attack you when you’re in your bedroom at home.”
Rose explains that while school was tough, she escaped bullying and abuse outside. “(When) I was home, I was safe,” she says. “Now, I feel there’s a lot of pressure on kids.”
In “Batwoman,” Rose plays a Jewish lesbian saving Gotham from supervillains, and she hopes that representation will inspire kids.
“That’s why I think the show is important. We want everyone to watch this, but especially young people to watch this and feel like they can identify and relate to people they’re watching on the screen.”
