Most Cringeworthy Social Media Users 2025 | Study & Stats

Unveiling America’s Most Cringe-Worthy Social Media Habits

Social media trends shift with lightning speed, making it all too easy to fall into the “cringe” trap—whether it’s the infamous duck face, overused filters, or the classic peace sign pose. But in a world overflowing with content, what actually makes a post “cringe” and which regions in America are the most guilty culprits? To get to the bottom of this, a survey of 3,000 U.S. residents explored which social media behaviors are deemed most embarrassing or outdated—and pinpointed the states and cities leading the nation in digital awkwardness.

Study Highlights: Key Facts from the Cringe Report

Before diving deeper, here are some quick takeaways from the research:
– Iowa topped the list as the state with the most cringe-inducing social media users, with 69% of respondents in agreement.
– Los Angeles was singled out as the “cringiest” city in America for social media activity.
– Posting captions with cliché quotes ranked as the behavior Americans found most cringe-worthy.

States Leading the Social Media Cringe Parade

According to a 2023 Statista study, over 58 million Americans are considered influencers or content creators, the largest number worldwide. The rise of the influencer dream—especially among Gen Z, of which over half aspire to online fame—means social feeds are packed with questionable trends. But which states are driving the cringe factor?

– **Iowa** stands out as the epicenter of cringe, with 69% identifying its social media scene as most embarrassing. Interestingly, while lip-syncing songs on stories is seen as the pinnacle of cringe elsewhere, 85% of Iowans are unbothered, possibly explaining their national reputation.
– **New Hampshire** comes in second. While a notable 45% agree lip-syncing in stories is embarrassing, two-thirds admit to other faux pas, such as excessive photo filtering and posting repetitive #throwbackthursday pictures.
– **Georgia** secures third place. About 64% of the state’s social media users admit to engaging in cringe-worthy activities, from daily outfit posts to endlessly re-sharing contest entries (often to no avail).

The Coolest States on Social Media

It’s not all unintentional comedy online—some regions excel at mastering an effortless digital presence. The states with the lowest “cringe” scores include:

– **New Mexico** takes first place for having the most refined feeds, with only 25% of residents engaging in off-putting behaviors. Residents have largely avoided trends like gym selfies and generic adventure-themed captions.
– **Washington, D.C.** follows close behind, where many locals appear to heed the adage “think before you post.” This inclination towards discretion has solidified D.C.’s spot on the “cool” list.
– **Louisiana** rounds out the top three. Just 35% of social media users participate in cringe trends, establishing a reputation for standing out—in a good way—in the digital crowd.

The U.S. Cities With the Most Embarrassing Feeds

When it comes to urban hot spots, certain cities have developed a reputation for social media awkwardness:

– **Los Angeles** tops the charts, known for its influencer culture and obsession with trends like #loveislandusa and full-moon photo dumps. While the rest of the U.S. might be talking politics or current events, LA feeds take a different—and often more self-absorbed—direction.
– **Seattle** claims second place, where 78% of locals admit to engaging in cringe-inducing behaviors, from countless Starbucks snaps to stereotypical Instagram content.
– **Nashville** ranks third. Three-quarters of its residents lean into lip-syncing videos and inspirational Dolly Parton quotes, hoping perhaps for a taste of viral fame.

More Cities Earning Dishonorary Cringe Mentions

Other urban areas earning notable positions on the cringe leaderboard include:

Nationwide Trends: What Americans Find “Cringe” on Social Media

So, what online habits are most likely to trigger a collective eye roll? The study revealed the top offenders, as well as the lesser offenses:

• Using cliché quotes like “good vibes only” as captions
• Lip-syncing to popular songs in stories
• Applying excessive filters or obvious photo editing
• Re-enacting TikTok dance trends
• Routine themed posts such as #motivationmonday or #throwbackthursday
• Posting gym selfies
• “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) video diaries
• Constantly resharing contest entries
• Uploading Boomerangs
• Frequent “Outfit of the Day” (OOTD) posts

While individuality on social media is encouraged, be aware that some habits may leave your followers cringing behind their screens.

Cringe-Worthy Travel Posts to Avoid

Vacations might inspire a flood of posts, but not all travel content is created equal. The survey discovered which travel-related uploads Americans find most off-putting:

• Captioning with “Catch flights, not feelings” (30% found this most cringe)
• Pool or beach photos showing only legs (21%)
• Posts like “How’s your Monday going?” or “Beats a day in the office” (20%)
• Pictures of passports on planes or in airports (15%)
• “Mentally I’m here” throwback posts after returning from a trip (14%)

While it can be tempting to flaunt your vacation in the most dramatic way possible, these clichés are more likely to elicit groans than likes from your network.

What Does “Brat” Mean? Americans Are Divided

The phrase “brat” surged in online popularity this summer, but its meaning remains unclear for many. When polled, Americans offered a range of interpretations:

• 61% believe it refers to poor behavior or acting out
• 18% interpret “brat” as internet slang meaning “cool”
• 12% associate the word with a popular doll
• 5% think of the “BRAT diet” (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Toast)

An additional 5% offered miscellaneous answers, from pop culture references to humorous misunderstandings, showing the term’s ambiguous place in the digital lexicon.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Authenticity (Cringe and All)

Trends may come and go—what was trendy yesterday might be embarrassing today (remember Facebook “pokes”?). While certain online habits seem universally awkward, the real takeaway is to share what feels authentic to you. Your unique personality is more valuable than any fleeting online trend, so enjoy your feed, even if it occasionally induces a cringe.

Research Methodology

This analysis is based on a national survey conducted in August 2024, collecting responses from 3,000 Americans about their social media usage and perceptions of “cringe” behaviors. The sample was representative, composed of approximately 53% women, 45% men, and just over 2% identifying as non-binary, transgender, or other.

Data and Attribution

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