Cancel Culture, Call-Outs & Online Peer Pressure

SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK

Teach your child to pause before they post. A few thoughtful seconds can prevent hurt, misunderstanding, or becoming the target of call-out culture.

TODAY’S TOPIC

Cancel Culture, Call-Outs & Online Peer Pressure

In today’s digital world, peer pressure has gone from locker rooms and hallways into group chats, DMs, and the endless scroll of social media. What many parents might view as typical teen drama can actually be a high-stakes version of what’s known as cancel culture—and it’s a growing challenge for tweens and teens.

On platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, what starts as a comment or screenshot can escalate rapidly: a young person says something unpopular, gets “called out,” chased through feeds, and perhaps loses friends, followers, or reputation. Unlike traditional bullying, which often happens one-to-one, this type of peer pressure is amplified, persistent, and public. According to one overview of teenage cancel culture, “the viral nature of social media … means very large, complicated social issues get condensed into one minute for TikTok or just a photo on Instagram.”

It’s not just about getting something wrong—it’s also about the feeling of always being on stage. New research shows that 68% of U.S. teens say they feel a fair amount of pressure to get good grades, 47% feel pressure to look good, and 41% feel pressure to fit in socially. Combine that with the nearly constant connectivity of social media—which one study estimates is used “almost constantly” by over one-third of teens — and you’ve got a potent mix for peer pressure, fear of exclusion, and impulsive digital reactions.

The result? Teens may face public shaming, rapid loss of social status, self‑censorship, or emotional burnout.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Helping your child navigate this terrain isn’t just about monitoring—it’s about building resilience, awareness, and healthy habits.

1. Start the Conversation

Ask open-ended questions:

• “Have you ever felt pressured to post something because everyone else did?”

• “What happens if you say something and people disagree—what do you feel?”
  Explain that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them—the internet doesn’t always allow for second chances.

2. Teach Emotional & Digital Literacy

Frame call-outs and cancellations in plain terms:

• “What’s the difference between real accountability and public shaming?”

• “Who decides what’s right or wrong online—and should we ever feel scared simply for having an opinion?”
  According to the American Psychological Association, adolescents are especially vulnerable to the emotional effects of social rejection—because their brains are still developing key control and social‑processing networks.

3. Build “Pause & Reflect” Habits

Before a teen posts or reacts:

• “Is this kind?”

• “Is this necessary?”

• “Is this helpful or hurtful?”
  Encourage them to step away and reflect if they’re upset, angry, or feeling pressure. If something still feels wrong after a break, it probably is.

4. Model Healthy Boundaries + Grace

Be clear: We all mess up. Apology and repair matter.
Share your own story of a misstep (digital or personal) and how you made amends. This models growth—not perfection.

5. Use Monitoring Tools Wisely

Tools that are helpful don’t just flag every message; they help you identify patterns. With the right prompts, you can ask questions like:

• “I noticed your mood changed after that post—what was that about?”

▶ Slang Word of the Week:  “Ohio” or “only in Ohio” - Used to describe something as weird or bizarre. This originated from crazy videos and news articles coming out of Ohio.