Social Relations and Cancellation Culture on the Internet: Harm to Mental Health

Abstract

Cancel culture is a contemporary expression used to refer to attitudes within a certain community that involve the boycott against a specific person, usually a public figure, resulting from the performance of some action considered morally reprehensible. Cancellation, by exposing individuals to an avalanche of criticism and hostility, triggers an intense emotional response and can negatively affect mental health. In this sense, this article aims to identify the main impacts on mental health triggered by cancel culture. A literature review was carried out in the Scielo, Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Google Scholar databases, using the descriptors “cancellation”, “cancellation culture”, “digital cancellation”, “virtual lynching” and “health mental”, connected by the Boolean AND, covering publications from the last decade (2013- 2023). From the analysis of the studies collected, it was concluded that cancel culture reveals itself as a complex and recent phenomenon, with significant implications for mental health and contemporary social dynamics. It is noteworthy that cancel culture is a multifaceted phenomenon, requiring diverse approaches for a comprehensive understanding. Its impacts on mental health, the influence of social networks and prevention strategies emerge as key areas of investigation.