Gen-Z: How social media redefines cancel culture in 2025

Khaleej Times

04-04-2025

Picture this: It's 1981, and Nile Rodgers, the legendary musician behind hits like Le Freak and Good Times, is at a club with his girlfriend. When she behaves in a way he deems unacceptable, he doesn't just write a song about heartbreak—he writes Your Love Is Cancelled. The track, a sequel of sorts to his earlier hit I Want Your Love. The track didn't exactly top the charts, but it did something far more revolutionary: it introduced the concept of 'cancelling' someone for bad behaviour. Decades before hashtags and viral call-outs, Rodgers was already onto something.
Fast forward to 2025, and cancel culture has become a defining feature of our social landscape, especially for Generation-Z. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter so much to this generation?
Cancel culture refers to the practice of publicly calling out, shaming, or boycotting individuals, organisations, or even brands for behaviour deemed socially unacceptable. This could range from offensive comments and controversial beliefs to harmful or illegal actions. Social media platforms have become the battlegrounds where these cancellations play out, with hashtags and viral posts amplifying the outrage. The fallout from being 'cancelled' can be devastating.
For influencers, the stakes are far higher than simply losing followers; it's about witnessing the community they've painstakingly built collapse overnight. A single misstep—whether it's offensive comments, personal scandals, or revelations of unethical behaviour—can unleash a ripple effect of repercussions. Prominent YouTubers like PewDiePie, Tati Westbrook, and Shane Dawson have all experienced the downfall of their communities in the past, as did Instagram star Nessa Barrett. More recently, Indian YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia faced a similar fate. For many, the path to redemption is daunting, if not entirely out of reach.
For the ones cancelling, it's a necessary tool for accountability—a way to hold powerful people and institutions responsible for their actions. For others, it's a digital witch hunt that leaves little room for redemption.
Gen-Z, the first true digital natives, have grown up in a world where social media is both a megaphone and a microscope. They've witnessed movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter use collective outrage to drive real change. For many in Gen-Z, cancel culture isn't just about punishment—it's about justice. It's a way to challenge systemic inequalities and demand accountability in a world where traditional systems have often failed. 'We're not cancelling people—we're cancelling toxic behaviour,' says Sayeda Arif, a young professional working in a startup company in Dubai.
But it is not all black and white. Gen-Z's relationship with cancel culture is complicated. On one hand, they've seen it work—celebrities, politicians, and corporations have been forced to reckon with their actions in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. 'There have been instances where I have supported the idea of cancelling out of touch of reality influencers, and offensive and insensitive brand campaigns,' says Rajasi Shrestha, a Nepalese student.
On the other hand, they've also seen it spiral into toxicity, with online mobs sometimes targeting individuals for minor missteps or misunderstandings. ' I have never cancelled anyone. Though it could be a positive view of holding people accountable in a social way. I also feel people took it too far away and started cancelling others over very trivial issues,' says Sara Alaa Abdelmagid, an Egyptian student studying in Dubai.
While cancel culture can be a powerful force for good, it's not without its flaws. Critics argue that it often lacks nuance, leaving little room for forgiveness or growth. The speed and intensity of online outrage can sometimes overshadow the possibility of meaningful dialogue or education. Take, for example, the case of a young influencer who makes an insensitive comment. Instead of using the moment as a teaching opportunity, cancel culture can quickly shut down any chance for their learning or redemption. This raises an important question: Are we cancelling people to create a better world, or are we just feeding into a cycle of performative outrage?
The challenge for Gen Z,and for all of us, is to find a balance between accountability and empathy. Cancel culture can be a tool for social change, but it shouldn't be the default response to every controversy. Open dialogue and a willingness to listen are just as important as holding people accountable. In a world where everyone has a platform, it's up to us to use our voices wisely. So, the next time you're tempted to type 'cancel', ask yourself: Is this about justice, or is it just about the drama? Because in the end, the goal shouldn't be to destroy—it should be to build a better, more inclusive world.