Gen Z grapples with fear of being 'cringe' in public and online

Young people, particularly Gen Z, face a growing fear of being perceived as 'cringe' due to the prevalence of social media and the risk of being recorded. This anxiety affects their willingness to express enthusiasm, as illustrated by TikTok creator Katie Whitney's content that intentionally embraces awkwardness. The phenomenon, termed CringeTok, reflects a cultural shift in how youth navigate self-expression in public and online spaces.

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