In today’s digital age, social media has become a lifeline for teenagers, offering an escape from the challenges of daily life. As teenagers immerse themselves in the latest trends and the lives of popular influencers and celebrities, the drama unfolds, which is popularly known as “cancel culture.” In a new world where a single post can spark a social media frenzy, we dive into how cancel culture shapes and influences its audience.
Mia Rouleau ’28 spends a couple of hours online daily, allowing herself to quickly connect with influencers. She is well-acquainted with cancel culture, as she has had to shift her support among various influencers multiple times. Making her feel Betrayed that the person she looked up to could do such horrible things.
“It hurts when you open your phone to find out that one of your favorite influencers has gotten canceled for doing something stupid,” Rouleau said. “It feels like they betrayed me and other people who have followed them.”
Elias Kartsonas ’28 spends a significant amount of time online, particularly engaging with music artists. Yet, he observes a concerning trend: many of the artists he admires frequently find themselves embroiled in controversy or in ‘cancel culture’. Unlike what some may experience, Kartsonas feels unfazed by this, effortlessly discovering new, similar figures to admire.
“It’s not that hard to find another artist, I just kind of look for people who are similar,” Kartsonas said. “But I won’t lie, when an artist I liked for a while gets canceled, it’s disappointing.”
The relentless cycle of discovering yet another influencer can feel overwhelming, never certain who might disappear next. For Charleigh Miller ’27, this reality hit hard when her once-beloved influencer Colleen Ballinger, faced a very public cancellation. The disappointment stung deeply, leaving her feeling disheartened and questioning the nature of online fame.
“When I found out I was majorly disappointed, but it does leave me wondering who will be next to fall victim,” Miller said.
In short, cancel culture touches everyone differently, regardless of age or social media presence. It’s a good idea to get to know who your favorite influencers are before getting too invested. By being more aware of their actions and values, you can stay more balanced and prepared for whatever happens next in the ever-changing world of social media.
“I love scrolling online and watching my favorite influencer, I look up to her a lot, but it can be nerve wracking when I remember that one thing she says wrong, could ruin her reputation forever,” Rouleau said.
