Emma Roberts says the key to maintaining a relationship in the public eye is being able to "step away" from the spotlight.

Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts

The 26-year-old actress has enjoyed an on/off relationship with her fiancé Evan Peters since they began dating in 2012 after meeting on the set of 'Adult World', but Emma says having her love life on public display can be difficult, especially because of "social media".

Speaking to People magazine about maintaining privacy in her public relationship, Emma said: "I mean, I think it's all about just really knowing who you are yourself. And staying grounded with your family and with your friends.

"I think it's easy to get so caught up in it because now with social media, there is no stepping away, really, because even when you do it's still all on your phone. So I think [it's about] figuring out how to really step away and kind of turn it off and make time for yourself and your real life."

Meanwhile, Emma and 30-year-old Evan - who star together in 'American Horror Story' - put their engagement back on in November last year after having called it off in May.

A source said at the time: "Emma and Evan are engaged again. She's been wearing her ring on set. Everyone on set knows."

The pair first got engaged over Christmas in 2013 but called off their marriage plans in June 2015.

Evan and Emma later reconciled in August of the same year before splitting in May.

Speaking about how she met Evan, Emma previously said: "Everyone thought we dated on the movie ['Adult World'] and we didn't, not for a long time. I, actually, on the set, was like, 'Oh yeah, we're totally gonna date.' And I would try to, like, flirt with him, which ended up looking like I had something in my eye because I'd be like, 'Hey, what's up?' And he literally didn't speak to me the entire movie. He thought I was so weird."