Celebrities and other public figures are often idolized and put on a pedestal. However, beneath the glamorous exterior is the sky-scraping expectations they must constantly uphold while being stalked by the public eye. One tiny mistake, whether it be having an opinion that contradicts the majority or a slip of the tongue blown out of proportion, could lead to the court of public opinion to brand them “canceled.” The rise of social media only enables such rumors to spread like wildfire, worsening the extent of this so-called cancel culture.
Cancel culture, which is prevalent on social media up until today, can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it could shed light on the crimes and questionable actions of otherwise untouchable people, giving the public power to exact justice in the form of reducing their reputation to shambles. On the other hand, some people end up being reluctant to voice their opinions in fear of being bashed by the public. By discouraging people from expressing themselves, cancel culture threatens our human right to free speech.
How exactly, then, does this problem affect us? A quick scroll through the comments sections of gossip pages would answer that question. People who express similar opinions to those being canceled are bashed in similar ways. As a result, many tend to blindly follow the crowd, neglecting to check the facts on their own and think for themselves. Hence, the gravity of cancel culture on social media is clearly no joke, even for us.
GenDigital Says
Recognize that there is a fine line between accountability and mob mentality. Although it’s important to hold people accountable for their actions, you should realize that they are human too, and that there are two sides to a story. Don’t be swayed by everything social media says, but instead make an effort to examine the facts on your own.
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