In the realm of social media, we frequently experience moments of laughter, anger, and disappointment, all shared with our virtual neighbors online as we react to the latest breaking news or viral feuds. We no longer rely on tabloids or the newest gossip reports from late-night shows; instead, we turn to the ever-evolving platforms of the World Wide Web. What used to take hours to report is now available as instant news in just seconds.
We have witnessed infamous feuds among our favorite influencers, musicians, and celebrities through social media platforms. From friendship breakups to competitive rivalries in the entertainment industry, the internet has erupted with immediate reactions. During the prime years of X, we became accustomed to seeing classmates, social media influencers, and even celebrities openly address their opinions online regarding their conflicts. Whether through livestreams or by directly mentioning someone’s name on social media, failing to confront issues publicly was not taken seriously by society. This brought the emergence of “the art of subtweeting”, leading many to become less direct not only in online confrontations but also in their interactions within family dynamics and friend groups. This shift has encouraged the adoption of alternative personas online. Instead of addressing issues openly, a subtweet can have the potential to go viral, while sitting right next to the person they are in disagreement with. This period marked the adolescent years of what is known as -stan culture.
The evolution of this phenomenon began as an opportunity for individuals to cultivate strong online fanbases that are often defensive against anyone expressing negative opinions about them. Unaware of the significant impact this influence would create, it propelled many of our most influential figures—such as celebrities, reality TV stars, and social media influencers—into a continuous spotlight. What started as innocent in the early stages of stan culture became problematic as it began to transform into overly protective behavior. Engaging in public debates about online controversies involving their favorite celebrities transitioned from being seen as erratic to a well-accepted rational response trend amongst society.
The concept of “keyboard warriors”—individuals who actively confront others on social media—has become a prominent and popular theme in society. Surprisingly, many people prefer to indirectly call out others by initiating arguments on these platforms. This behavior highlights a direct correlation between subtweeting and stan culture behavior, often taking certain situations to the extreme. Resulting in this social media phenomenon permeating every facet of our lives, from fan pages dedicated to our favorite celebrities to witnessing a series of rants on X from our favorite artists and influencers. This toxic behavior often manifests in how we handle conflicts, frequently turning to these platforms for resolution. As a result, we’ve seen the development of extreme parasocial relationships between fans and the figures they admire, affecting interactions with influencers, friends, and even strangers.
As we have observed, when celebrities engage in online feuds, the comment sections become flooded with a wide array of responses—ranging from excessively critical to humorous, from expressions of favoritism to, unfortunately, outright hateful remarks. This dynamic contributes to the evolution of stan culture, which can take on a life of its own. This behavior is no longer limited to the realms of entertainment and celebrity; it also extends to social media and reality TV influences. From our favorite influencers to random casual interactions, we have chosen to handle conflict by resorting to social media causing parasocial relationships between fans and the person they pledge allegiance to- begin to develop to new extremes. Leading us to question whether subtweeting has become harmful to society. The answer is yes; it encourages complacency in engaging in healthy debates and deters fans from escalating the situation. Conversations have shifted from open forums aimed at seeking resolution and clarity to endless feuds that can have a lasting impact on individuals’ lives. This shift often occurs as two feuding fanbases engage in verbal stand-offs on social media platforms.
If you think this perspective is overly dramatic, consider the intense interactions we observe between our favorite celebrities online. These conflicts prompt fans to take clear stances on various narratives, often forcing them to choose sides. Anyone who expresses dissent risks backlash from a passionate fanbase. While it’s natural to have favorites among celebrities, this phenomenon complicates the expression of opinions for those worried about potential repercussions from fandom. Some individuals may voice their opinions on social media without fear of public backlash, but many others feel pressured into silence, fearing the strong emotions that surround today’s most prominent figures and social media influencers. Although it is understandable to support those you admire and celebrate their successes, this dynamic requires careful consideration. This behavioral trait can significantly impact how we handle conflicts with one another. It may lead to a decreased interest in expressing one’s direct opinions. Without open communication—regardless of the topic—we miss opportunities to explore taboo subjects, discuss controversial issues in an effort to seek a better understanding, and unlearn toxic traits.
How can we healthily reintroduce directness back into society to foster open conversations in public forums? This process starts with managing one’s audience and culminates in reviving the art of healthy disagreements aimed at resolution, rather than fueling feuds.
With the consideration in mind that toxic behaviors often pass from one generation to the next and tend to worsen over time; something must be done to undo this damage. If we fail to unlearn the bad habit of suppressing our true feelings and instead turn to social media for expression, we risk harming future generations’ ability to manage conflict healthily. We must not let this happen; we need to restore healthy communication in our society. While confrontation is often uncomfortable, it is essential for breaking down barriers and resolving disagreements constructively.