By: Skylah Clarke
Cancel culture has been around for a while, but mostly skyrocketed into prominence with the rise of social media. It’s supposed to be used as a form of public accountability for what people on social media deem as bad behavior. However, it just causes fear for figures who have big platforms to share their opinions. Cancel culture is hateful and promotes bullying instead of accountability. It contributes to a hateful culture and can heavily affect mental health.
An example of how cancel culture promotes hate and bullying is Andrea Carmona from season 6 of the reality TV show Love Island. Andrea was severely bullied and canceled online for supposedly destroying a different couple on the show. She has been labeled with words like “trash” and “homewrecker.” Some fans have noticed how far this hate was going and thought that there should be a stop to it. According to a 2024 report by The Express Tribune, “A fan commented, ‘this is an entertainment show, and most of this is produced in some way or another. No need for hate comments on someone’s socials.” Another fan added, “I think it’s getting worse. Andrea’s family will hopefully take over the account and stop the insanity.” A third Redditor proposed that the cast should disable or limit comments for their mental well-being at this stage. There has been so much hate and horrible comments just because of Andrea going on the show and no one deserves that.
Cancel culture also forces people to hold back opinions because of the fear of getting hate and backlash. People with big platforms are afraid to say something that doesn’t align with every single person’s opinion. According to Bobby Block from Florida Today, “What began as a social phenomenon has hardened into a dangerous, bipartisan weapon used to silence, punish, and sometimes destroy those whose words offend. Doxing, deplatforming, defunding, firing, persecution—and even killing—are now features of an escalating war over speech. This has to stop.” There has been so much violence and hate just for speaking up and sharing opinions and it causes an unhealthy environment on social media.
While it can help correct people’s actions, there needs to be a different approach. There are way healthier and kinder ways to hold people accountable without spreading hate.
The Raider Press 