Raised online and under constant scrutiny, many young people are hesitant to put themselves out there. Is that true for you?
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Blog description Does the Fear of Being ‘Cringe’ Ever Hold You Back?” is a thought-provoking reflection on how the digital age has reshaped self-expression, confidence, and authenticity. Growing up online means growing up under constant scrutiny — where every post, opinion, or creative act can be judged, mocked, or “canceled.” This essay explores how that ever-present fear of embarrassment often keeps people from trying new things, sharing their passions, or showing their true selves.
It dives into the culture of irony and perfection that dominates social media, where sincerity is often seen as naïve and vulnerability as weakness. Many young people today curate their identities so carefully that they forget what it means to be genuine, spontaneous, or imperfect — the very things that make us human.
Ultimately, the piece asks readers to reflect: How much of your life is shaped by the fear of being “cringe”? What dreams, hobbies, or moments of joy have you hidden because of what others might think? Through its honest tone and relatable observations, the essay encourages readers to embrace authenticity over approval — to laugh at themselves, take chances, and live freely without fear of judgment.
In a world where every moment can be recorded, shared, and judged, many young people hesitate to express themselves fully — afraid of being labeled “cringe.” This essay explores how the pressure of online perception shapes confidence, creativity, and authenticity. From posting on social media to pursuing passions, the fear of embarrassment often stops us before we even begin. Are we living for approval, or for ourselves?
Finish this sentence in your mind: If I didn’t care what other people thought or said about me, I would _______________.
Did something — or several things — immediately come up? Is there a lot you might do if you weren’t worried about being embarrassed? Or are you mostly free from concerns about people criticizing you?
In “Climbing Cringe Mountain With Gen Z,,” Yola Mzizi writes about the fear of embarrassment, or being “cringe,” and why so many young people have a difficult time embracing it:
The phrase cringe mountain came from Erica Mallett, 34, a creator consultant based in Sydney, Australia, who coined it in 2023. Ms. Mallett spent years in the public eye, first as part of the hip-hop duo Coda Conduct and later as a host of a national breakfast show on the radio station Triple J. The role put her in front of a huge audience almost overnight, and she was bombarded with texts from listeners telling her she was “so cringe.”
This idea of stumbling publicly, enduring judgment and finding resilience in the process is not new. What’s new is the language. The phrase “cringe” is distinctly of the internet age, born of comment sections and meme culture to describe acute awkwardness or social embarrassment.
At first, Ms. Mallett tried to shrink herself to avoid criticism, but it only dulled her personality and stifled her creativity. She eventually reframed the word, deciding that being cringe was actually proof she was experimenting and taking risks. To her, “climbing cringe mountain” meant growth.
“What embracing cringe allows you to do is try on a bunch of personalities, identities, outfits — but I was experimenting very publicly,” Ms. Mallett said. “They could hear that I hadn’t arrived yet at a place where I had consolidated everything that I was trying on and become someone who was clear and confident and competent. I think that makes people uncomfortable.”
Experimenting is a natural part of identity formation that did not always feel so high stakes. Today it does, even for people outside the public eye, said Roberta Katz, an anthropologist and researcher at Stanford University who was one of the authors of “Gen Z, Explained: The Art of Living in the Digital Age.”
According to Dr. Katz, Gen Z grew up constantly observed, with cameras everywhere and social media to amplify the scrutiny. This nonstop exposure, combined with apps built around judgment, has created a culture of digital surveillance that makes many young people hesitant to try new things or express themselves openly, lest they be called cringe.
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
- Do you relate to anything you just read? Have you ever stopped yourself from trying something new, expressing yourself differently or otherwise putting yourself out there because you were worried about what others might think or say about you?
- Have you ever embraced cringe, as several people in the article said they had? If so, tell a story about a time you set aside your worries about how people might react and did the thing you wanted to do. How did it feel? What did you learn?
- Some people quoted in the article attribute the rise of cringe culture to social media and cameras being everywhere. What do you think about that? Do you believe you and your life would be different if you didn’t grow up being watched all the time? Are there any other factors at work?
- Do you think society needs to become more accepting of cringe? Do individuals? How do we get to a place where young people feel comfortable taking risks and openly expressing themselves? Is the answer, as some people in the article said, just leaning into the embarrassment? Share your suggestions and solutions.
- In a related New York Times Magazine Letter of Recommendation, “Why You Should Relish Embarrassment,” the poet Ariela Gittlen writes about what happened when she let herself take risks:
Embarrassment can also be our guide, revealing not just our sore spots but our passions, the gaps that separate who we are from who we want to be. I joined a writing workshop, then another, then started one of my own. I befriended poets whose work I loved and asked for their feedback on mine, first through gritted teeth, then, increasingly, with ease. Some became trusted readers and true friends. We shared first drafts and manuscripts, family lore, stories of bad dates and our anger about the state of the world. I became less guarded with my old friends too, and those relationships bloomed. It’s only when we’re vulnerable, after all, that we allow ourselves to be known.
Do those ideas resonate with you? If you could “climb cringe mountain,” what might be waiting for you on the other side? In what ways do you think experiencing embarrassment might help you find your passions or figure out who you want to be?
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Please include a short bio The guest essayist is a writer and observer of modern culture, fascinated by how technology, identity, and emotion intersect in everyday life. With a background in digital media and a passion for exploring the psychology behind online behavior, they write about what it means to be authentic in a world obsessed with appearances. Their essays often touch on themes of vulnerability, belonging, and self-acceptance — offering readers a mirror to examine their own fears and aspirations.
Beyond writing, the essayist mentors young creatives learning to navigate the pressures of digital life while staying true to themselves. Their work encourages readers to embrace imperfection, rediscover sincerity, and live with the kind of honesty that transcends likes, followers, and fleeting approval.
🗒️ Notes (if any):
- Begin with a relatable moment — like deleting a video or post out of fear that others might find it “cringe.”
- Use examples of how irony culture and fear of mockery stifle self-expression.
- End with an empowering message: “You’ll never create something real if you’re always afraid of being seen.”
Tone: reflective, warm, and thought-provoking — relatable to Gen Z and Millennials alike.
About The Author
