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Social media is amazing, but it’s also a place where people can be cruel. I’ve had to learn to have thick skin.

Kylie Kristen Jenner

*Elle* interview on online criticism and mental health (2020) · Checked on 19 May 2026
Social media is amazing, but it’s also a place where people can be cruel. I’ve had to learn to have thick skin.

Analysis

Jenner’s claim aligns with her repeated discussions about cyberbullying and mental health challenges, including in the 2020 *Elle* interview and other media appearances (e.g., *Vogue*, *The Kardashians*). Her description of social media as a 'cruel' space mirrors well-documented patterns of online harassment faced by celebrities, particularly women in the public eye. While 'thick skin' is subjective, her acknowledgment of coping mechanisms is consistent with her advocacy for mental health awareness. No contradictory evidence undermines the core assertion.

Background

Kylie Jenner, a high-profile celebrity with over 400M combined social media followers, has been a frequent target of online scrutiny since her teenage years. Studies (e.g., Pew Research, 2021) show that 41% of Americans have experienced online harassment, with celebrities facing disproportionate exposure. Jenner has publicly addressed mental health struggles, including anxiety and body-image issues, linked to social media pressure.

Verdict summary

Kylie Jenner’s statement accurately reflects her documented experiences with online criticism and the broader impact of social media on mental health, corroborated by her public interviews and third-party reports.

Sources consulted

— Elle UK. (2020, October). *Kylie Jenner: ‘I’ve Had to Learn to Have Thick Skin’*. [Interview]. https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/a34306217/kylie-jenner-interview/
— Vogue. (2018, February). *Kylie Jenner Opens Up About Anxiety and Motherhood*. [Article]. https://www.vogue.com/article/kylie-jenner-interview-vogue-march-2018-cover-story
— Pew Research Center. (2021, January 13). *The State of Online Harassment*. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/01/13/the-state-of-online-harassment/
— The Kardashians (2022, Episode 6). Hulu. [Jenner discusses social media criticism].
— American Psychological Association. (2017). *Social Media and Mental Health: A Complex Link*. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/06/social-media