With the advance of technology nowadays, the world has become a digital society, and it can’t be denied that the media is important in people’s lives. People today are more informed, more open-minded, more willing to speak out and when this awareness meets the power of media—especially social media—it creates a space where voices can spread fast and loud. This environment has given rise to cancel culture—a phenomenon where people in society criticize, express their dissatisfaction, or boycott individuals like public figures, brands, or organizations that display inappropriate or unethical behavior, especially in the online world where information spreads quickly and widely.

But what exactly is canceling culture? What are its effects on society, business, and individuals?   And perhaps most importantly—can anyone truly recover from being canceled?

The Rise of Cancel Culture

Cancel culture is basically when someone—be it a celebrity, influencer, or even a company— get publicly called out and boycotted because of offensive, harmful, or controversial action. While the term may sound new, the idea of holding people accountable through public opinion is not new. What’s different now is how fast and widespread it can happen due to social media.

Thanks to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, a single comment, video clip, or old tweet can quickly go viral—often without context—and cause a lot of public backlash. Sometimes, this results in the person involved losing their jobs, partnerships, or followers. At other times, entire companies face boycotts or brand damage.

Cancel culture mixes the power and influence of the media, public accountability, and evolving cultural norms. But its effects are far from black and white.

The Impact on Society

Cancel Culture can boost awareness and accountability in society. When a public figure behaves inappropriately or does something wrong, they should face the consequences of their actions. Sometimes, what they did may not be illegal—it might simply go against social norms. But continuing to give them a platform or support them can be seen as ignoring the wrongdoing and sending the message that “it’s not a big deal.” This can lead society to overlook serious issues, especially since public figures and brands often have influence and visibility. Their actions can easily be copied or shape beliefs and behaviors that go against social values.

However, cancel culture is not always positive. It can have negative sides on society and people. When something happens too quickly—often driven by the speed and reach of the media— people may immediately judge without listening and understanding the full context. People may be “canceled” based on incomplete information, rumors, or even fake news. This rush to judgment can create a toxic environment where anger replaces meaningful conversation.

Therefore, the consequences are not only damaging to the reputation, but also severely have the potential to affect the mental state of the person who was canceled, including stress, anxiety, or even depression, especially when the social trend is so severe that it becomes a form of bullying.

The Impact on Business

Nowadays, businesses have to maintain their image and social standing carefully, as consumers are not only interested in the product but also in the action and value of the company. The inappropriate advertising, discriminatory policies, scandals involving a company’s leadership, or even unsuitable actions by a celebrity within the company can lead to violent backlash, which is why brands need to be more mindful of social issues and respond quickly. In addition, consumers today also expect brands to play a role in addressing social issues, and emphasizing social responsibility, such as upholding human rights, promoting diversity, and sustainability. Otherwise, brands that fail to take these responsibilities risk losing customer trust and facing severe public criticism. 

Some companies have handled the situation well. When faced with criticism, many have taken concrete action such as changing policies, issuing a sincere apology, or removing or terminating actors’ contracts to represent the company’s stance. These businesses often come back stronger because they’ve shown they can grow and evolve.

On the other hand, some companies can not recover well due to poor situation management or seemingly deceptive expressions that can decrease trust. Consumers can quickly sense if an apology is insincere, and in an era of cancel culture, a sloppy apology or  mishandling of the situation can make things worse than saying nothing at all. For instance, in 2021, a boycott of Foodpanda (hashtag #banfoodpanda) started in Thailand after a video clip showed a Foodpanda employee participating in a political protest. The company responded by stating that the rider was immediately fired and emphasized its stance against violence and terrorism. However, many people were upset by the use of the term “terrorist,” believing it was excessive, as political expression should be a right of every Thai citizen, leading to many users deleting their accounts and some merchants canceling their services.

Cancel Culture has changed the way businesses behave dramatically. It is no longer enough to avoid conflict; businesses must be proactive, diverse and transparent, and when they do get it wrong, they must demonstrate their sincerity in fixing it.

Cancel Culture and Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech, or speaking up, is the foundation of rights in many countries, especially democratic ones. However, freedom is not always unlimited. Some actions may have an effect negatively such as accusation or speaking in a way that undermines others may violate the principle of social responsibility. Although we have the right to speak, the limits of what we say that is not causing harm or violating others is important.

Some people believe that cancel culture as creating a safe space and protecting victims of inappropriate speech or actions by demanding that those who engage in inappropriate behavior cease to be supported or canceled. But, some people see it as suppressing free speech, potentially impacting people afraid to speak out, and that “punishing” them can be excessive and unfair.

Therefore, the balance between cancel culture and freedom of press is important. Healthy society should be open-minded to various aspects and opinions. Even though there is disagreement or conflict, there must be clear boundaries on hateful or harmful speech. The challenge is to separate responsibility from censorship, and to prevent debates from turning into digital witch hunts. By using reason, understanding , and empathy, societies can learn from one another and create culture where both rights and responsibilities are respected.

Can You Make a Comeback After Being Canceled?

To come back from scandal, the significant part of redemption is the “sincerity” of admitting one’s mistake, taking responsibility, and visible change, believing that these people are truly accountable for their actions. Mistakes that have already happened can never be completely erased, especially in the digital age where every action is recorded as a “digital footprint” that can be mentioned at any time. 

Moreover, the potential of making a comeback or not depends on various factors such as the intensity of the situation, perspective, and action after the incident, including society’s readiness to give a second chance. Some choose silence to rehabilitate, while others use the time to support those affected by their actions. These actions can demonstrate sincerity and the intention to change, which is something that society values ​​and is finally open to.

For example, in the case of Robert Downey Jr. is one of the people that come back interestingly after being in prison and his drug problems in the 90s which affected his acting careers. He chose to transform himself by going to therapy, and taking care of his health, with his supportive wife. As a result, his transformation created by director Jon Favreau gave him the chance to play “Iron Man,” he did not disappoint. The role not only revived his career, but also made him one of the world’s top actors, proving that determination and the right opportunity can always lead to a new beginning. 

Moving Forward: Toward Accountability, Not Punishment

At the heart of it all, cancel culture reflects who we are as a society and what we choose to value. Whether you’re a content creator, business leader, or someone navigating social media, understanding the dynamics of cancel culture is essential.

But more importantly, we must ask ourselves—what truly defines “wrong”? What should we base our judgments on? In today’s world, finding a balance is crucial. Cancel culture should not become a tool for harm, but a path to accountability, growth, and positive change.