"The Summer I Turned Pretty" Warns Fandom to Keep Itself in Check This Summer
As The Summer I Turned Pretty gears up for its third and final season, the vibes at Cousins Beach may be dreamy, but behind the scenes, there's a real-world reminder echoing across social media: don’t let fan passion turn toxic.
On July 14, the official social media accounts for the Prime Video hit series issued a clear message to fans as the online discourse around the show heats up: “Let’s keep the conversation kind this summer.” The show, beloved for its picturesque beach setting, steamy love triangle, and coming-of-age drama, has captured the hearts of millions—but not without consequence.
As fandoms become more vocal, more tribal, and, unfortunately, more aggressive, the creators of TSITP are getting ahead of the game. Their public zero-tolerance policy on hate speech, bullying, and harassment is a bold and necessary move in an age where digital engagement too often veers into digital cruelty.
From Summer Romance to Online Storm
Based on Jenny Han’s bestselling YA trilogy, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows teenager Belly Conklin as she finds herself torn between Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher, two brothers she's grown up with every summer at Cousins Beach. Fans are deeply invested—so much so that many identify as either Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad, mirroring the famous Twilight fan wars of "Team Edward" vs. "Team Jacob."
But there’s a difference.
Twilight premiered during a time when social media was still in its early stages. TSITP lives in a world where TikTok hot takes, Twitter threads, and Reddit debates have instant reach and real consequences.
With that power, though, comes responsibility—and unfortunately, many modern fandoms have crossed the line. We've seen it in nearly every pop culture sphere: from Love Island USA contestants being doxxed and harassed, to actors in hit TV shows being bullied off social media.
So it makes sense that the creators of The Summer I Turned Pretty are laying down the law early.
“Cousins is Our Safe Place” – But Is the Internet?
The post from the TSITP team didn’t mince words:
"We have a ZERO tolerance policy for bullying and hate speech. If you engage in any of the following you will be banned: hate speech or bullying. Targeting our cast or crew. Harassing or doxxing members of the community."
It’s a powerful reminder that while fans may feel close to characters and actors, the line between fandom and harassment is real—and must be respected.
The message was wrapped in the series’ signature tone of warmth and nostalgia—“Cousins is our safe place. Everything is good. Everything is magical.” But the underlying urgency was clear: the internet can turn dark fast.
When “Shipping” Turns to Shaming
While spirited debates like “Team Jeremiah” vs. “Team Conrad” may seem harmless, online battles between fan groups can quickly descend into personal attacks, especially when they target real people—like cast members Lola Tung (Belly), Christopher Briney (Conrad), and Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah).
This isn't just hypothetical. Across fandoms, stars have received death threats, racial slurs, and body-shaming messages simply because of their character arcs or romantic pairings.
And it’s not limited to the cast. Behind-the-scenes crew, writers, and even other fans have been on the receiving end of keyboard warfare, with mob-like behavior often fueled by algorithmic engagement and echo chambers.
Lessons from "Love Island USA"
This TSITP warning comes on the heels of Love Island USA’s latest season, which was riddled with fan outrage, social media witch hunts, and contestants having to issue public pleas for peace.
While some critiques were valid—such as calling out problematic past behavior—much of the backlash was personal, cruel, and disproportionate. In some cases, family members of contestants were targeted.
If a reality dating show, often dismissed as "light entertainment," can become a hotbed for digital abuse, it’s no wonder scripted teen dramas are also in the crosshairs.
Fandom in the Digital Age: A Blessing and a Curse
There’s no doubt that fan communities can be a beautiful thing. They drive support, amplify diverse voices, create powerful campaigns, and turn books into billion-dollar franchises.
But they can also become toxic echo chambers, where criticism is met with cancelation, and disagreement leads to harassment.
As the third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty drops, the show's creators are clearly hoping to cultivate a healthier environment. It's a necessary step—and a challenge for all fandoms to rise above the noise and remember the joy that brought them together in the first place.
The Real Message of TSITP: Love, Growth, and Kindness
At its core, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a story about self-discovery, complicated love, and learning to grow. It explores heartbreak and healing, not just with romantic relationships but with family, identity, and loss.
That message is what keeps fans coming back each summer—not the drama of fan wars or viral hate posts.
So as we return to Cousins Beach for one final emotional ride, let’s remember the heart of the series—and keep our passion rooted in kindness.
💬 Are you Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah—or Team “Let’s All Chill”? Let us know how you’re feeling ahead of the final season in the comments below. And remember: kindness is always in style at Cousins Beach.
Would you like this tailored with trending keywords from Google for even better SEO reach?
0 Comments