What Happens When Cancel Culture Goes To High School?

Cancel culture has made headlines a bunch in recent years, but when students start canceling each other does it go too far? Co-produced with @CommonSenseEducation

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**What is cancel culture?**
Cancel culture has been around for a long time. When have people not disagreed or challenged each other’s thoughts? As we know it today, canceling is about holding powerful people accountable for what they say and do. At least, in theory, much of its media coverage and attention revolves around whether canceling is more about accountability or online shaming of the accused.

**What’s cancel culture's impact on students?**
Students usually aren’t big-name celebrities, so when they cancel each other it’s usually about taking personal conflicts onto a public platform. That can have lasting impacts on both the accuser and the accused. Both might have their mental health affected, as the accuser may be forced to relive the trauma by having to bring up the conflict publicly, or the potential for the scandal to follow both parties well beyond when the incident happened. And both the accuser and accused may feel ostracized by their peers and research shows that this social rejection from peers can lead to academic struggles, low self-esteem, and a “decrease in prosocial behaviors.”

**What are alternatives to canceling someone?**
We spoke with students who’ve both seen cancel culture at their schools and were curious to know if there is a way to get people to take responsibility for hurting someone without putting them on blast on social media. Reflection, patience, and seeking support (when ready) are all tools, says Kaidence Pacheo, a student who has gone through a restorative justice program at their school. However, not all schools have these resources, so these alternatives may have to start from the individual educating themselves and reflecting on the power that the Internet has in amplifying these callouts. They can also begin looking at the bigger picture and interrogating the systems that allow for these wrongdoings to happen in the first place.

SOURCES

About KQED
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Funding for KQED’s education services is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Koret Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the AT&T Foundation, the Crescent Porter Hale Foundation, the Silver Giving Foundation, Campaign 21 donors, and members of KQED.

About KQED
KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS member station based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services, and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source, leader, and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places, and ideas.

Funding for KQED’s education services is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Koret Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the AT&T Foundation, the Crescent Porter Hale Foundation, the Silver Giving Foundation, Campaign 21 donors, and members of KQED.

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Hype about Cancel Culture
1:00 History of Canceling
1:32 Controversy around Cancel Culture
2:00 Impacts on Students
3:18 Social Rejection From Peers
4:03 Holding Accused Accountable Without Shaming


#cancel #cancelculture #accountability #wokepolice #Callouts

[AboveTheNoise]

What do you think about canceling someone - is it an effective way to deal with toxic behavior? Leave your comment, we want to hear from you!

[MoritzvonSchweinitz]

I read somewhere that a fundamental problem of 'woke' and cancel culture is that there is no real process of forgiveness or forgetfulness available anymore.
I DO think people have a right to screw up, and others should call you out for it - even publically. But there MUST be a way to atone for your sins, if you forgive the religious expression.

[Doping]

I can't see the difference between cancle culture and mob justice. Sure, there is nasty stuff going on that is not prosecuted enough, but reversing the burdon of proof (or not even hearing the accused) has very scary vibes.

[sharonpacheco]

I felt like it was well and informed information I appreciate it thank you

[cherrylk]

I take it you guys read that NY times article about the college student being “self-censored” for having unpopular opinions? If you haven’t, it brings up similar stuff. Especially with social rejection.

I don’t really agree with it, but it’s worth discussing.

[sharonpacheco]

I felt like this video was well educated and informed

[wowman]

I'm fine with cancelling on a personal level, so if someone finds out their favorite author, actor, director has done something heinous that affects them deeply I think they're justified in refusing to watch or read anything involving said person. I don't think cancelling is very effective at stopping any negative behavior as it's treated as a one and done solution rather than a holistic, ongoing process that involves encouragement at some points. It's like using only the stick while yelling about how the person being beat doesn't deserve the carrot for what they've done.

[helix]

i feel like it's reasonable to not hang out with someone if they're racist, though. that about as far as it ever went for me

[alberttran]

Former President Obama mentioned cancel culture is not activism, and people who do good stuff like your parents have flaws. Yes, we are not infallible, even charming, perfect, and our friends.

I felt sorry for people in the #MeToo video who got rejected for prom and graduation. It does not help them learn their lesson or grow because they cannot get these privileges back. I value justice for people to pay their debts to make up for their lost benefits in their future. What if we cancel Myles, Above the Noise, our friends, family members, or people whom we loved?

Finally, I have fears about making future bad mistakes and going to prison. Predestination can be scary for anyone.

[johnyfuentes]

I got this as an assignment in class and was hoping someone in the comments had the answers

[millieegirl]

This channel is really good and so underrated

[Duraputer]

I think it's better to communicate with some directly rather than call them out an ruin their life on social media. Also rumours get spread on social media which may not be true and there have been people cancelled for things they didn't do.

[xity_]

yo who that shawty with the inhaler earrings

[tomduke]

i honestly just dont get how this whole "canceling" is supposed to work. i mean, everybody can just turn on their webcam and say whatever they want and whoever is interested can tune in and listen to it. as far as i can tell people trying to cancel someone or something are just unbelievably naive, weak and angry. i have never seen a smart, strong or calm person try to cancel someone and thats the only kind of person i surround myself with.
as i see it, cancel culture is a self-defeating phenomenon, only weak people participate and only weak people are held down by it. a normal person would never be that scared of someone or something to try and cancel it, or would be slowed down when getting canceled. its realy just a fun little merry-go-round for a particular breed of people.

[likebot.]

Does social media harm people who don't use social media?

[DavidBeddard]

Punch up, not down, or sideways. Speak truth to power. And Aviva Powers's comment that social media should be a tool, not a weapon is very important; if you're doing anything hurtful, that won't make anything better.

[asktheglutenfreechef]

No one mentioned at the start was canceled, not Ellen, not Aaron Rdgers, not Joe Rogan. Cancel culture doesn’t exist

[dhindaravrel]

People must learn that bad behaviour has consequences. If that means cancellation, so be it. But it looks like it's taking the opposite route compared to politics. What people used to have to resign over hardly gets a mention nowadays. And I'm not talking personal life stuff but actual corruption.

[jacobv]

Like others have said, used unwisely and in a way that doesn't allow for self-improvement or forgiveness, this may not get the desired outcome. Calling people out serves an important purpose for both parties. Of course, there are situations where an individual is toxic to the very core where "cancelation" is justified; especially if that individual is in a position of power or influence.

[kartavianmacrath]

So, I do not mind cancel culture on either big entities or individuals, but there needs to be a redemption process, something a company or individual can do to prove they have learned from their actions, not just people being mad at them, however, if this process is going to continue to be used, it needs to be reserved for: Company committed offense A against party B and this is not appropriate in our society or Person A inappropriately hurt Person B by committing C. Petty arguments can be recognized by the people, remember, individuals are cancelling individuals and corporate entities. All parties involved have a voice, and we need to prove we are mature enough to tell the difference, before we start casting judgement on Person A for misreading their first kiss and getting bullied by the whole world for not knowing Person B didn't want to... So, sorry for the long answer, but I think that we, the individuals participating, need to pay close attention before participating... I hope this makes sense, lolol.