Social media has changed the way people communicate, but it has also changed the way people judge others. Every day celebrities, influencers, and creators are being “canceled” online for things they say or do. Cancel culture is when large groups of people publicly shame someone and try to ruin their reputation after a mistake or controversial situation. While accountability is important, I think cancel culture on social media has started to go too far, especially when celebrities are criticized more harshly than normal people for making mistakes many others also make.
Celebrities are constantly under pressure because every post, comment, or action they make can quickly go viral. A regular person could say something rude or make a bad decision, and only a few people might notice. But when a celebrity does something similar, millions of people immediately judge them online. Sometimes the backlash becomes more about humiliation than actually teaching someone a lesson or helping them grow.
One example is James Charles and the criticism he received after comments he made toward a woman who lost her job due to issues connected to Spirit Airlines. The woman reportedly asked James Charles for financial help after losing her job, and many people online felt that he responded in a disrespectful way. Social media users quickly attacked him, calling him insensitive and selfish. While people have the right to disagree with what he said, the reaction online became extremely intense. Thousands of comments and videos were made attacking him personally instead of simply discussing why his comments upset people.
Situations like this show how quickly social media turns mistakes into major scandals. My cousin who is involved with social media stated “In some cases, cancelling culture has helped certain issues come to light and not stay in the dark”. Sometimes people forget that celebrities are human beings too. They can say things without thinking, misunderstand situations, or react emotionally just like anyone else. Cancel culture often leaves little room for apologies, learning, or growth. Once someone is labeled “canceled,” many people continue bringing up their mistakes even years later.
At the same time, cancel culture is not always completely negative. My cousin who has seen certain situations happen in the social media world states “In some cases, cancelling culture has helped certain issues come to light and not stay in the dark”. In some cases, it has helped hold powerful people accountable for harmful actions. Social media gives ordinary people a voice and allows important conversations to happen. Without public pressure online, some celebrities or influencers might never take responsibility for offensive behavior. However, there is a difference between accountability and bullying. Calling someone out for harmful behavior is different from sending hate, threats, or trying to destroy someone’s entire career over one situation.
Overall, I believe cancel culture on social media has become too extreme in many situations. Celebrities are judged more harshly than regular people, and online outrage often spreads before all the facts are known. While accountability matters, people should also be given the chance to learn from mistakes and move forward instead of being permanently attacked online.
