Teenagers use many phrases amongst themselves, which may leave parents feeling a little out of the loop. In a world of phrases like “That’s fire,” “No cap,” and “That’s gas,” parents may totally dismiss their high schooler’s supposed harmless lingo.
But some of these phrases hold more weight than you might realize; in a world of social media and cyberbullying, “canceling” and cancel culture has reared an ugly head and threatens to do more than cause problems in a remote celebrity’s career – it can significantly impact the mental wellbeing of your teen.
What is cancel culture?
Cancel culture has emerged as a prominent and controversial phenomenon in pop culture and modern society, especially with the rise of social media.
At its core, cancel culture refers to collectively withdrawing support from public figures, companies or entities after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. This movement of “canceling” aims to hold individuals and organizations accountable for their actions, but it also sparks considerable debate over its implications for free speech, justice and societal norms.
According to survey participants for a Pew Research Center project on cancel culture, canceling can mean different things for different people. One participant said, “[Cancel culture is] a method of withdrawing support for public figures or companies. It can also be considered to be used as a form of online shaming on social media platforms.”
Another participant claimed, “[Cancel culture is] destroying a person’s career or reputation based on past events in which that person participated or past statements that person has made, even if their beliefs or opinions have changed.”
According to the same source, “Overall, 58 percent of U.S. adults say, in general, calling out others on social media is more likely to hold people accountable, while 38 percent say it is more likely to punish people who don’t deserve it.” Without a doubt, cancel culture would not be what it is today without the gasoline social media throws on the fire.
What does cancel culture look like?
Some believe that cancel culture is necessary for social justice, giving marginalized voices a place to call attention to harmful behavior and hold people in power accountable.
From this standpoint, cancel culture could lead to positive change by promoting awareness and encouraging more ethical behavior. For example, movements like #MeToo have utilized aspects of cancel culture to draw attention to issues of sexual harassment and assault.
On the other hand, cancel culture can be overly punitive and unforgiving, leaving little room for dialogue, growth, or redemption—in other words, once you’ve been canceled, that’s it: there is hardly any space for the accused to defend themselves. Some see that cancel culture lacks appropriate reactions and can result in disproportionate consequences to the perceived wrong.
Additionally, there is concern that the fear of being canceled may stifle free expression and lead to self-censorship, ultimately hindering open and honest discourse and a lack of individualism, creativity, and the right to form and defend one’s opinions.
Why is cancel culture bad for teen’s mental health?
Cancel culture among teenagers often plays out on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. In these digital spaces, where peer approval and social validation are highly valued, teens can quickly find themselves “canceled” for various reasons, from a thoughtless comment to the expression of an unpopular opinion.
Unlike adults, who might face professional and public consequences, teens are more likely to experience social isolation and bullying from their peer groups.
Typical scenarios of canceling include:
- Public shaming, where screenshots of offensive comments or actions are shared widely, accompanied by hashtags and calls for accountability
- Boycotting, where popular teens might lose followers, friends or social standing as others unfollow or block them
- Group dynamics: Peer groups may ostracize an individual, leading to social isolation at school or in extracurricular activities
The impact of cancel culture on teens’ mental health can be profound and multifaceted:
- Increased anxiety and depression: The fear of being canceled can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and stress. Teens may constantly worry about saying or doing something wrong, leading to hyper-vigilance. For those who have been canceled, the experience can trigger depressive episodes characterized by feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and social isolation
- Self-esteem issues: Being publicly shamed and rejected can severely damage a teen’s self-esteem. Adolescents are at a developmental stage where their self-identity is forming, and negative social feedback can have long-lasting effects on how they perceive themselves
- Cyberbullying: Cancel culture can often escalate into cyber bullying, where the targeted teen is subjected to harassment, threats, and relentless negative comments. This can lead to severe emotional distress and, in extreme cases, self-harm or suicidal ideation.
If you believe your teen has been a victim of cancel culture, it is important to speak with them sooner rather than later to help them appropriately address their concerns and emotional needs.
Looking for mental health support for your teen?
To get in touch with someone who can provide guidance, advice and healthy coping mechanisms for your teen, reach out to High Focus Centers in PA by calling 610-644-6464 or by filling out our online contact form to get in touch with a counselor today.
