A new phenomenon known as 'cringe culture' is causing Gen Z to self-censor online and in real life, with many afraid of being perceived as awkward or trying too hard. According to a Yahoo/YouGov poll, over half of Gen Z have stopped expressing themselves freely online due to fear of being cringe, and 55% have held back emotionally.
Natalie Soibatian, 24, whose TikTok video about cringe going viral, says the fear is 'crippling an entire generation.' She recalls clubs where no one dances because everyone is afraid of being recorded. 'It's a fear of being seen and being perceived,' she says.
Psychologists note that cringe is a form of vicarious shame, amplified by social media's surveillance culture. NYU professor Ocean Vuong sees students shying away from creative pursuits, saying 'I don't want to be perceived as trying.' The constant judgment from millions of online eyes is overwhelming, as humans evolved for small-group living.
Katie Whitney, a CringeTok creator with 2.5 million followers, says the fear lessens with a larger platform, but for many, the anxiety remains pervasive.