Fri Aug 01 10:00:48 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the article, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
The article discusses the pervasive “cringe culture” online, where individuals are quickly labeled as awkward or embarrassing for expressing themselves in ways deemed unfashionable or uncool. It explores how this fear of being labeled “cringe” can lead to self-censorship and a pressure to conform to online trends, potentially hindering genuine self-expression. Experts and young people interviewed suggest that “cringe” often functions as a form of cyberbullying and contributes to echo chambers online, impacting not only online behavior but also real-life choices. While some believe this is a phase that young people will grow out of, the article highlights the current pressure to maintain a curated online persona and avoid anything perceived as “cringe.”
**News Article:**
**Fear of ‘Cringe’ Stifling Individuality Online, Say Experts**
**CHENNAI, August 1, 2025** – In the age of social media, the fear of being labeled “cringe” is having a chilling effect on self-expression and individuality, according to a recent analysis. The term, used to describe anything considered awkward, embarrassing, or overly enthusiastic, has become a ubiquitous weapon of online judgment, causing users to self-censor and conform to fleeting trends.
“These days, people say everything is cringe, and it is wildly subjective and often uncalled for,” says Harini, an Air Transport Management student, who limits her presence online.
The article points to how this fear of ridicule can lead people to curate their online personas, mimicking perceived “cool” trends, even at the expense of their own interests. The article suggests that “cringe” has become a euphemism for cyberbullying and fuels the echo chambers online.
“I feel these are two points on the spectrum of performance,” says Madhuri Ravi, a senior writer from Chennai. “You just have to land in one of these two camps: where camp A is about coming off as genuine and relatable and camp B is where you take it so far that you know it is obviously a joke that people can laugh at. But if you are in the middle of these two points, trying hard to do something earnest but it does not come off as natural and falls flat, then you see people roasting you.”
Experts worry that this culture of constant judgment impacts real-life behavior. People are avoiding experiences simply to evade the “cringe” label, and social media dictates how to live real life. The pressure to maintain a polished online image has become inescapable, especially as employers increasingly scrutinize social media profiles. While some believe this is a temporary phase, the article suggests the long-term impact on self-expression and genuine connection remains a concern.
First Piper 