North American comedians such as Rodney Dangerfield, Woody Allen, Nathan Fielder, Don Knotts, Joan Rivers, etc. In social media Since the rise of social media, self-deprecating humor has become increasingly popular on certain social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, especially among Gen Z. This phenomenon can also be observed among millennials who find satisfaction in self-humiliation. Self-deprecating jokes typically revolve about feeling dead inside, having a mental illness or about people blaming themselves for anything bad that happens in their life. These posts tend to be more popular because it allows users to not feel alone in not being able to live a perfect life. According to the American Psychological Association, 91% of Gen Z between ages 18-21 in the last month have experienced at least one physical or emotional symptom due to stress. This statistic is the highest rate ever recorded, demonstrating the increase of mental health issues that Gen Z experiences. In return, users turn to self-deprecating memes on social media to cope. Social media can be public yet personal and has norms most users follow to avoid being criticized. These types of self-deprecating jokes can let people feel free from the pressure of needing to appear perfect. It lets users display their less-desirable traits or habits while preventing feelings of embarrassment. Boasting on social media, just like in real life, is often perceived negatively and is another reason why users gravitate towards self-deprecation to appear more likable. People also tend to like a person more if positive information about them is presented by a third party rather than from themselves, even if it is the same information. Furthermore, using self-deprecating hash tags allows individuals to be perceived as less arrogant and more humorous. See also Guilty pleasure Ingratiation Peer pressure Self-criticism Self-hatred Social awkwardness Toxic positivity References Humour Conformity Ego psychology