Cancel Culture and Its Impact on Social Anxiety in Emerging Adults

Abstract

Cancel culture has increasingly emerged in the social media era as a form of digital social control in which individuals or groups collectively withdraw support from someone who is perceived to have violated social norms. This phenomenon not only affects individuals who become direct targets of public criticism but also influences other social media users who observe these interactions, creating continuous social pressure. This study aims to analyze the psychological impact of cancel culture on social anxiety among emerging adults. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach based on a literature review, analyzing national and international scholarly articles related to cancel culture, social anxiety, and digital social pressure. The findings indicate that cancel culture produces multidimensional impacts encompassing emotional, behavioral, and social aspects. Emotionally, the phenomenon triggers feelings of shame, fear of interaction, and psychological stress due to the pressure of public opinion. Behaviorally, individuals tend to engage in self-censorship, avoid digital interactions, and adjust their behavior to prevent criticism. Socially, cancel culture can lead to digital isolation, reduced social participation, and heightened concern over public judgment. These three dimensions interact and reinforce one another, creating sustained psychological risks for emerging adults. Therefore, intervention strategies such as digital literacy education, resilience-building programs, and adaptive mental health support are necessary to help individuals cope with social pressure in digital environments.