As is often the case when a new term enters the collective lexicon, public awareness of the phrase “cancel culture” varies – sometimes widely – across demographic groups.
Overall, 44% of Americans say they have heard at least a fair amount about the phrase, including 22% who have heard a great deal, according to a survey of 10,093 U.S. adults, conducted in September 2020. Still, 56% say they’ve heard nothing or not too much about it, including 38% who have heard nothing at all.
Familiarity with the term cancel culture varies with age. While 64% of adults under 30 say they have heard a great deal or fair amount about it, that share drops to 46% among those ages 30 to 49, and 34% among those 50 and older.
