Alessia Cara back on social media after leaving due to online bullying

Alessia Cara has made a sudden return to social media saying she doesn't want nasty comments to sway her from interacting with fans.

The 22-year-old singer from Brampton, Ont., posted on her Twitter account late Wednesday, calling her brief exit from the platform the "shortest break ever."

Little more than a day earlier the Grammy-winning pop artist announced she was taking a break from both Twitter and Instagram, saying she needed "some time away" from the sometimes vicious messages sent to her by strangers.

Her decision was accompanied by screen shots from her Twitter account that showed users criticizing her appearance and firing obscenities at her.

But Cara's exit was brief, which she acknowledged is partly because her new album The Pains of Growingis due for release on Friday.

"It wouldn't be fair to leave you guys hanging during album time," Cara wrote to her fans on Twitter.

"You've always showed up for me and I want to show up for you, not let this period be tainted by my sensitivity toward hits to my ego. I want to set a better example than that."

'People don't realize the gravity of words:' Alessia Cara

6 years ago

Duration 0:24

The Grammy-winning Canadian pop star shared a video on Instagram about being the target of online bullying.

Cara expressed surprise that her decision to temporarily leave Twitter and Instagram captured as much attention as it did.

"I'm taking my own steps to navigate this weird thing called the internet in hopes that I can maintain a healthier, more positive environment for both me and you. I hope you do the same," she added.