In recent years, following the pandemic, cancel culture has become one of the most talked about topics online. From old tweets to recent TikToks, social media users have been calling out influencers for their behavior as a way of demanding accountability. This raises the question: Is cancel culture harmful or helpful?
Those who take part in cancel culture and support it say it shines a light on people who had previously been ignored. Viral TikTok story times and hashtags can expose influencers, celebrities and even entire businesses, often leading to apologies and policy changes. For example, Youthforia, a makeup brand that was popular amongst Gen Z for its viral color-changing blush, had to completely shut down due to their negligence in expanding their foundation shades to include darker skin tones. Creators called out Youthforia for releasing a shade that appeared pure black, and even cosmetic chemists weighed in with their expertise. Without direct confrontation like this, many powerful companies could continue operating without any consequences, silencing voices.
On the other hand, those against cancel culture believe it is too harsh due to the fact that one mistake can ruin an influencer’s entire career. One of the most common issues involves old tweets from years ago that resurface and spread online, forcing the creator to address it in a video. Often times, the post was created when the user was extremely young. Unfortunately, many times the apology video does not receive as much attention as the original screenshot.
In the end, cancel culture can be both harmful and helpful, depending on the gravity of the situation. It can bring offensive behavior to light and address important issues, but it can also completely ruin what could have been a blooming follower count. As social media users, we should take a step back and think before joining in on hate, considering if this will encourage awareness or simply fuel the fire.
