understand how cancel culture harms people’s lives

Cancel culture aims to boycott, attack and virtually ban people, companies and events that assume behaviors, ideals and opinions considered incorrect by the majority. It is, today, a phenomenon very present in social networks.

“Cancellation on the internet is the cruelest of all, as a figure is condemned for his behavior or opinion without having an opportunity to defend himself. The attacks, in their majority, are angry and directly affect the ego, the way of acting and the achievements of the canceled figure”, explains Ronan Mairesse, psychologist and specialist in Human Behavior.

Big Brother Brazil and cancel culture

In recent years, numerous participants in the program Big Brother Brazil faced – and some still face – the court of the internet. Pyong Lee (BBB 20), Hadson (BBB 20), Karol Conká (BBB 21), Lumena (BBB 21), Maria (BBB 22) and Rodrigo Mussi (BBB 22) are some of the names that were tried and convicted in the virtual world .

According to Miria Ribeiro, psychologist, family therapist and speaker, the culture of cancellation is strong in the reality show, since the program brings a context of exposure and very high competition. This, in turn, provokes an identification with everyday guidelines. “Viewers gain so much ‘power’ to judge the player’s actions that they extrapolate that to the actions of the human being behind the game,” she adds.

Consequences of cancellation

If virtual cancellation can harm the life of an ordinary person, can you imagine what it can do to figures who have gained visibility in the media, as is the case with current and former participants of Big Brother Brasil?

Ronan Mairesse comments that cancellation is a very harsh form of social justice. Therefore, from the moment a famous person suffers this type of punishment, he is stigmatized and always in the shadow of the judgment of others.

“And even if he learns, doesn’t make a mistake and becomes the best human being in the world, he will always be remembered for his mistake. That is, the person who does not know how to deal with the situation will suffer forever with it, and may develop depression or other pathologies serious”, points out the psychologist.

Effects on families

In addition to harming these people’s lives, this type of modern judgment also has consequences for the victims’ families. “Cancellation causes so much labeling that social pressure falls on those who opt out. relate to the individual that was canceled, as if that made them allies of something that represents the reason for the cancellation”, evaluates Miria Ribeiro.

Ronan Mairesse emphasizes that the desire to protect the one you love makes many family members voluntarily get involved in the controversies. As a result, they suffer psychological consequences cyber attacks, such as the development of depression and panic attacks.

Striking differences between cancellations

Cancellation can affect anyone who is connected to the internet, whether famous or anonymous. However, the consequences of attacks can be different for each of these people. “Anonymous people do not have the scope and repercussions of their actions, as is, fatally, the case with members of the BBB, which facilitates their virtual rehabilitation and avoids media lynching”, declares Miria Ribeiro. In addition, Ronan Mairesse adds that, even if there are different repercussions, the feeling of guilt, shame and injustice is ingrained in anyone who is “cancelled”.

Psychotherapy as a Great Ally

One of the best ways to repair the damage caused by cancel culture is through psychological treatments. According to Ronan Mairesse, psychotherapy will help the “cancelled” person to re-signify what happened, get to know themselves better and restore lost confidence. Still, in some cases, psychiatric follow-up, with the use of medication, should also be carried out, as explained by the professional.

Attitudes to avoid cancellation

Although the current culture allows cancellation to be practiced quickly and without many apparent reasons, with some simple precautions it is possible to avoid boycotts and virtual attacks. “One of the most important ways to avoid being canceled is to develop assertiveness in communication. This attitude will help you to express your opinion and talk about any subject with care and respect. We can say whatever we want, as long as the words are said to the right people, at the right time and in the right way”, explains Ronan Mairesse.

Also according to him, it is important to remember that there are rules that must be followed by users of social networks. “Another point is to understand that the internet is not land without an owner. There is a big difference between expressing a constructive opinion and offending. Those who offend lose their reason and run the risk of suffering legal consequences regarding the act, ”he says.

You need to think about the topic

With the cancellation culture taking over social networks, it is increasingly necessary to bring the topic to the debate. “Talking about the issue of cancellation helps us reflect on our socially judgmental behavior and how it make people sick seriously”, evaluates Miria Ribeiro. The expert also claims that dialogue allows an analysis of our own defects and how we are also susceptible to failures.