Over several years cancel culture has been spiraling within social media apps, whether it’s a celebrity, influencer, or it may just be a random stranger, cancel culture can ruin someone’s life. I’m sure we can all think of someone who got publicly canceled and shamed off of social media. There are many iconic apology videos of hysterical influencers who got held accountable for their inappropriate actions, they’ve been turned into troll videos, memes, and even a worldwide sensation. Some popular examples are Logan Paul, James Charles, Jeffree Star, Travis Scott, and Colleen Ballinger.
Most say the point of cancel culture is just to shame others to take accountability for their problematic actions publicly, and others may say it’s effective but some just don’t care about it. They’d go on with social media knowing that they’ve done something problematic and would delete certain comments bringing attention to it or may even turn off comments entirely. Then releasing a thirty-second video with fake tears running down their face while addressing comments and stating that they’ve learned from their actions and will be taking a break from social media. Then eight hours later they’re posting a get ready with me.
Cancel culture may also lead to online bullying, encourage violence and threats even more dreadful than the actual cause for the cancellation. It’s very simple to easily hate a stranger on a social media app, and even easier to write and post a harsh comment on a post. It comes to the point of holding someone accountable for their actions and having them learn from what they said, and to just cyberbully them and slandering them into quitting social media. Popular social media apps where cancel culture is normalized are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube.
“I think it’s super funny when seeing a popular tiktoker getting canceled because it goes to show that no one truly knows how someone acts behind closed doors.” Queenie Augustine, a 9th grade student.
Although we are human beings and it’s very natural to make mistakes, many people take advantage of that and use the fact that we are just human to excuse their acts that can affect the way people live. It comes to a point where it was a simple mistake and they are genuinely trying to hurt someone whether it’s with their words or actions. Many of the youth look up to influencers so them saying problematic things can result in them believing that they can say or do certain things are okay without being held accountable.
“ If someone like an influencer is getting canceled then they probably did something for them to deserve all the backlash they may receive.” Said Melanie Lemus, a 9th grade student.
