Idris Elba is trying to use social media less because he gets so depressed about the news.

The Thor star is an active user of Twitter and Instagram but is planning to cut down on posting and avoid looking at the Internet because he finds world events saddening.

"I've been trying to wean myself off," the 47-year-old actor and DJ told Fast Company magazine. "I used to post a lot more, but it's been putting me off lately. And Twitter's just not how I want to receive my news.

"I read the news aggregated on my iPad, but I can't check it constantly - I'm not proud of it, but it's true - because it makes me feel depressed."