The Absolutely Fabulous star claimed that young people now focus on being famous, The Daily Telegraph reports.
"We've stopped having an interest in things," she said. "We just sit there watching other people's lives on TV. It's not pitiful - it would be snotty and stupid to say that - but it's dull. Teeth-rottingly dull. I simply can't bear lethargy."
She continued: "And when children here want to be on The X Factor, I think, 'Why? Don't just want to be famous, do something that's really fascinating. The world is crammed with opportunities'."
Lumley also suggested that it is important to keep young people excited about their options.
"All children are boiling with excitement," she said. "But if you crush it, then feed them filth, dullness, repetitive nothing, tell them they'll be paid for doing nothing, tell them a job will be created for them, how can that child ever know there are horizons to see or to follow?"
Lumley has previously admitted that she would love to appear on Celebrity Big Brother.
