Social media has made it easier than ever to call out racism, sexism, or other harmful and hateful behaviors. In some cases, people who might have never faced consequences are finally being held accountable for their actions. For many this can feel empowering, since their voices are actively shaping what is acceptable in today’s society. 

However, things start to take a turn for the worse when the internet decides that the punishment of being canceled outweighs the crime. What starts as accountability can quickly turn into mass harassment.

Every week, it seems like someone new is being “canceled” online. A celebrity, influencer, or an ordinary person goes viral for the wrong reasons, and suddenly thousands of people are piling on the hate train. Is cancel culture actually about accountability, or has it turned into something closer to mob mentality? 

It is not a secret that cancel culture can be an extremely powerful force that effects are felt in real life. After being “canceled,” people can lose their jobs, family and friends, while receiving thousands upon thousands of death threats. When thousands of people attack someone at once, it stops being about justice and starts looking like punishment without fairness. Hence, the idea of a mob mentality. 

This can also be tied to a bigger political conversation about justice and freedom of speech, as culture often reflects larger divisions in society. What one group of people might see as accountability, another sees as a form of censorship. For many internet users, the constant balancing between speaking out and respecting different viewpoints can be exhausting. 

I am not at all claiming that people should not be held accountable for their actions. In the majority of cases, the reason as to why someone got canceled is completely justified. However, the punishment is not justified. 

Cancel culture is not going away, but how we participate in it matters. “Cancel culture” should not be about ignoring harmful behavior, but about slowing down and thinking critically. 

It is important to question how accurate the information is and take in all perspectives before coming to an informed decision, since we have the power to determine the safety and community of online spaces.

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