Why is it that people are treated so differently when it comes to their behavior online?
During the Covid pandemic of 2020, the app I was constantly on was TikTok, as I had nothing better to do than lay in bed and scroll mindlessly through videos. Something I noticed constantly during this time was a sense of “wokeness” in others. When someone would act or say something that was insensitive, they were called out, shamed, and unsupported. At first, I promoted and enjoyed the internet calling other people's behaviors and actions out since I believe in the consequences and the acknowledgment of your behavior. But over time, I began to realize the contradiction, hypocrisy, and overall negative effects of cancel culture.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, cancel culture is defined as “the mass withdrawal of support from public figures or celebrities who have done things that aren't socially accepted today.” The term emerged from internet culture growing in the 2010’s with popular sites such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and most recently, TikTok. One of my closest friends enjoyed posting online because she found it enjoyable and therapeutic. However, her page was anonymous as she never showed her face or revealed her name. She revealed to me that this was a measure of precaution because she was scared of slipping up and saying something that could be taken as socially wrong. All she really posted was edits of characters from her favorite shows and the occasional showing of her art. I still don't understand how hate comments could sneak their way into her videos. Why is it that her comments could be filled with people criticizing her in the way she thinks? Why is it that she has to do something she enjoys in fear?
Growing up, I always loved playing with my dollhouse. I enjoyed that I was capable of creating different scenarios and making this perfect life with my toys all to my discretion. As I got older, I realized that there are many aspects of life that are somewhat replicated of my enjoyment; one of which I tried to connect is social media. Influencers, the dolls, create their social media pages, their dollhouse, in a way that makes their life look ideal. However, everything isn't. When viewers take a look into the windows of the house, they then realize all of the flaws inside. Makeup artists such as Mikayala Nogueria being exposed for lying about products for money or even fake ages being revealed from people such as Denielle Cohn are all examples of such. When these blemishes come to light, if harmful enough, the influencer will then start to lose mass support. This is the concept of cancel culture.
In 2020, it was revealed that popular makeup influencer James Charles was engaging in pedophillic behavior with the sending of explicit texts to minors. When this came to light, all social media pages were covering his cancellation and people were showing their withdrawal of support through jokes about him and his content. Until he posted an apology video a week later, all of these comments were filled with people telling him to address it; and when he finally did, the internet made fun of him again via hate comments or making videos joking about how “hilarious” it was. Despite this, he still continued to post content and in about 3 months it seemed as if the issue had all passed over and the internet was suddenly content with his actions. Now, a year later, if you look in the comments of his posts, it is filled with fans and supporters uplifting his videos.
Also in 2020, it was revealed that conspiracy theorist Shane Dawson engaged in the same pedophillic behaviors as James Charles; just as him, Dawson lost widespread support with everyone insulting and making fun of him. His career was over, even after a video addressing the allegations. To this day, people cannot see a post of or even hear the name Shane Dawson and not immediately think of his actions or make jokes about him.
Something that stood out to me was the difference in results of the ‘canceling’ of these influencers. Why is it that Dawson’s career was essentially ruined while Charles was still thriving? Tiktok influencer Spenchwuah once said, “People on the internet are going to hold things against you forever,” but is that really true? What is the difference between these two that create such different results? The answer is, I don't know; but I can assume.
Perhaps the difference between these two was their consistency in posting. Unlike Charles who continued to post despite the controversy, Dawson took a year long social media break; this may have been his detrimental mistake. Because the last impression he left on the internet before disappearing was extremely unfavorable, it is now the main and seemingly only way to describe him.
So, through my narrow understanding of cancel culture, it seems as if to avoid permanent cancellation is to take these steps: 1. Don't say or post anything that couldnt taken as insensitive. If step one doesn't work out, then 2., address the issue and then continue to post as if nothing happened. Is human concentration so low to the point where we forget disgusting actions from those around us, or are we too immersed in our own lives to care about others? Even if the individual is giving us trendy and cute makeup tips every week, we need to stay focused. If to be an icon is to use distractions to cover the flaws, then so be it; but truly look into the people you idolize before putting them on a pedestal.
It is somewhat a mystery to me why online behavior is so contradictory. But I do understand that this hypocrisy has caused fear and a sense of uncomfortability into many online. The internet needs to hold everyone accountable and not only certain people. How are we as a society supposed to take advantage of our first amendment freedom of speech right, when our speech doesnt feel so free? We are limited; well not all of us, and that's the issue.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, cancel culture is defined as “the mass withdrawal of support from public figures or celebrities who have done things that aren't socially accepted today.” The term emerged from internet culture growing in the 2010’s with popular sites such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and most recently, TikTok. One of my closest friends enjoyed posting online because she found it enjoyable and therapeutic. However, her page was anonymous as she never showed her face or revealed her name. She revealed to me that this was a measure of precaution because she was scared of slipping up and saying something that could be taken as socially wrong. All she really posted was edits of characters from her favorite shows and the occasional showing of her art. I still don't understand how hate comments could sneak their way into her videos. Why is it that her comments could be filled with people criticizing her in the way she thinks? Why is it that she has to do something she enjoys in fear?
Growing up, I always loved playing with my dollhouse. I enjoyed that I was capable of creating different scenarios and making this perfect life with my toys all to my discretion. As I got older, I realized that there are many aspects of life that are somewhat replicated of my enjoyment; one of which I tried to connect is social media. Influencers, the dolls, create their social media pages, their dollhouse, in a way that makes their life look ideal. However, everything isn't. When viewers take a look into the windows of the house, they then realize all of the flaws inside. Makeup artists such as Mikayala Nogueria being exposed for lying about products for money or even fake ages being revealed from people such as Denielle Cohn are all examples of such. When these blemishes come to light, if harmful enough, the influencer will then start to lose mass support. This is the concept of cancel culture.
In 2020, it was revealed that popular makeup influencer James Charles was engaging in pedophillic behavior with the sending of explicit texts to minors. When this came to light, all social media pages were covering his cancellation and people were showing their withdrawal of support through jokes about him and his content. Until he posted an apology video a week later, all of these comments were filled with people telling him to address it; and when he finally did, the internet made fun of him again via hate comments or making videos joking about how “hilarious” it was. Despite this, he still continued to post content and in about 3 months it seemed as if the issue had all passed over and the internet was suddenly content with his actions. Now, a year later, if you look in the comments of his posts, it is filled with fans and supporters uplifting his videos.
Also in 2020, it was revealed that conspiracy theorist Shane Dawson engaged in the same pedophillic behaviors as James Charles; just as him, Dawson lost widespread support with everyone insulting and making fun of him. His career was over, even after a video addressing the allegations. To this day, people cannot see a post of or even hear the name Shane Dawson and not immediately think of his actions or make jokes about him.
Something that stood out to me was the difference in results of the ‘canceling’ of these influencers. Why is it that Dawson’s career was essentially ruined while Charles was still thriving? Tiktok influencer Spenchwuah once said, “People on the internet are going to hold things against you forever,” but is that really true? What is the difference between these two that create such different results? The answer is, I don't know; but I can assume.
Perhaps the difference between these two was their consistency in posting. Unlike Charles who continued to post despite the controversy, Dawson took a year long social media break; this may have been his detrimental mistake. Because the last impression he left on the internet before disappearing was extremely unfavorable, it is now the main and seemingly only way to describe him.
So, through my narrow understanding of cancel culture, it seems as if to avoid permanent cancellation is to take these steps: 1. Don't say or post anything that couldnt taken as insensitive. If step one doesn't work out, then 2., address the issue and then continue to post as if nothing happened. Is human concentration so low to the point where we forget disgusting actions from those around us, or are we too immersed in our own lives to care about others? Even if the individual is giving us trendy and cute makeup tips every week, we need to stay focused. If to be an icon is to use distractions to cover the flaws, then so be it; but truly look into the people you idolize before putting them on a pedestal.
It is somewhat a mystery to me why online behavior is so contradictory. But I do understand that this hypocrisy has caused fear and a sense of uncomfortability into many online. The internet needs to hold everyone accountable and not only certain people. How are we as a society supposed to take advantage of our first amendment freedom of speech right, when our speech doesnt feel so free? We are limited; well not all of us, and that's the issue.
In reality, social media and its influencers can never fully embrace the ideals of a dollhouse. No matter how hard they try, somehow it will not only always be a flaw, but a constant worryful feeling that something you are doing is wrong, despite others engaging in it as well.
