Are we too quick to cancel? In our rush to judge others online, we’ve built a culture that thrives on public shaming. People constantly monitor social media, ready to call out someone’s mistake. In this environment, speaking out against the majority or expressing an unpopular opinion feels risky, which hinders self-expression. As a result, many choose to stay silent to avoid unwarranted backlash.
The term “cancel culture” refers to a form of public shaming where an individual is scrutinized, mainly on social media, for expressing an opinion or acting in a way that is deemed offensive.
Modern cancel culture continuously fosters an environment driven by fear and conformity, where the desire to avoid social criticism suppresses open discourse. It also discourages personal growth and ultimately hinders meaningful societal progress.
Due to constant fear of judgment, self-censorship is the new norm. Not only does cancellation stifle self-expression, but it fosters an “us versus them” mentality that divides people by pinning equally legitimate viewpoints against each other.
In 2023, Bud Light partnered with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender social media personality. The collaboration included a can featuring Mulvaney, which led to criticism from the right and boycotts against the brand in an attempt to stand against trans-inclusive marketing.
This divided mindset discourages empathy and understanding. People are quick to align themselves with a narrow viewpoint and thereby deem opposing views as less than.
Some may argue cancel culture holds people accountable and encourages them to take ownership for their wrongdoings. While people should be held responsible for hurtful actions or words, the mob mentality within cancel culture subjects people to public shaming, harassment and even threats. Ultimately, the aggressive degree of these attacks is not an effective means of holding people accountable, as it removes opportunity for correction.
This cultural norm has fostered a system of unchecked bullying, which can have detrimental impacts on the individual receiving backlash.
According to a study by The Therapy Group, a clinic in Washington, D.C., people who have experienced cancellation report heightened feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation and guilt. Cancellation cannot be an ethical means of correcting behavior when it causes the offender
this much strife.
Social media influencer Tana Mongeau was canceled for insensitive comments she made in the past that resurfaced, and although she apologized for her words and made strides towards correcting her behavior, she continued to face public scrutiny. As a result, her mental health faced a decline, and she ended up taking a break from social media altogether.
Cancel culture seeks to control all aspects of both public and private life, creating a single, unified ideology that must be accepted among all. The overwhelming presence of cancel culture has led people to forget what it means to be human. Without self-expression and nuanced thinking, we are conditioned to lead uniform lives.
Published and digitized November 2025.
