Have you noticed your kids talking about the canon events nowadays and finding no clue what it means? If yes, then definitely, being a parent, you might be wondering: What is a canon event, or if this new trend is something to be worried about or not.
So, to get a solution to your queries, keep reading this blog as we’ll discuss in detail the canon events, telling you why teens love this trend so much. Also, we’ll discuss in detail both its positive and negative sides. So you can better decide whether it’s okay for kids to follow or not.
What is a canon event?
A canon event is basically an official part of the story that may define or shape the characters or the plot in the storyline. Let’s understand this with examples for better clarification.
If you have watched the Spider-Man movies, then here the death of Uncle Ben is actually a canon event. This is because this part officially occurs in the original Spider-Man storyline. For instance, its first comic was written by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (1962), who show Uncle Ben’s death as a main plot.
Furthermore, Uncle Ben’s death also defines Peter Parker’s character and causes him to become a hero to save the world. Thus further supporting it’s a canon event.
Meaning in literature
Similarly, in literature, all the official books that the writers write or publish are canon. And the parts that many change the character’s life or bring twists are canon events. For instance,
- Sherlock Holmes: The 4 novels and 56 stories by Arthur Conan Doyle are canon; fan-written tales aren’t.
- Harry Potter: The 7 novels by J.K. Rowling are canon; fan fiction or unofficial sequels aren’t.
In fandom culture
A fandom culture is actually a social world, or say a community of fans where they share their interest related to books, movies, TV shows, etc. So, such fans also debate that anything that you see in the official movies, books, or series is basically canon.
Why are canon events important in stories and teen life?
Hopefully, now you understand what the canon events are, so yes, you can say they are the turning points that can change the whole story or a character’s life. They can bring the challenges and may even disclose the hidden abilities of one person. For instance,
If we talk about the Harry Potter movie, you might remember that in the beginning, he lived a boring life. But once he realizes that he is actually a wizard, his life changes. He becomes brave by facing different challenges or dangers. And also learn the meaning of true friendships.
How teens connect and interpret them
So, when teens watch such canon events in Spider-Man or Harry Potter, then they relate them to their own personal lives. They came to learn that challenges in life make them even stronger or more mature. For instance, in real life, teens mostly face the following problems, which may become a canon event.
- Friendship Issues: There is a possibility that teens may fight with his/her best friend. Although at first this may hurt them, later on, they realize whether they were wrong or not. Also, they come to know that never trust anyone, thus they would better handle the relationship in the future.
- Exams: Furthermore, they may fail a test, but it may be a turning point that gives them a chance to improve their study habits and even achieve wonders.
Breakups: Also, at this life stage, teens may experience their first heartbreak. However, it may not just hurt them but help teens understand emotions and boundaries.
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How did the canon event trend spread on TikTok?
The phrase canon event became a part of TikTok memes in 2023 after the release of the movie named Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It’s a comic-inspired animation film where Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099) and other characters actually use the phrase canon event in their dialogues. Like they said, every Spider-Man person experiences a canon event that changes their whole destiny.
Thus, people liked this idea very much and began posting the short clips and memes quoting this dialogue on TikTok.
How teens use it now
Furthermore, compared to other age groups, teens, once they see any viral trend on social media, they would have a craze to follow it to fit in. Thus, you would find that they use this term canon event both humorously and in a serious way. Let’s understand it with examples!
For humour:
Examples:
- You might see a video of a friend texting their ex with the caption “Don’t stop them—it’s their canon event 💔😂.”
- Also, you will see a spilled drink or a failed exam and write “Every hero needs a tragic backstory—canon event unlocked 📚.”
- A meme in which a teen burns/their toast in the morning and writes: “Breakfast fail = canon event of the day 🍞🔥.”
- A teen spills coffee on their homework and gives a caption: “Plot twist: canon event unlocked ☕📄.”
- You may come across a video in which a teen tripping while walking down the stairs gives the caption below: “Canon event: the hero falls before rising 😂🏃♂️.”
For real-life challenges
Examples:
- Also, a video about losing a close friend with the text “This breakup was my canon event. I learned to value myself. 💪.”
- You watch a video on TikTok in which teens are talking about anxiety before college and saying, “Facing my fears is part of my canon event.”
- Someone shares a video about moving to a new school: “New school, new challenges, canon event begins 🏫✨.”
- A teen talks about dealing with anxiety before giving a speech, “Public speaking fear: part of my canon event. I survived! 🎤💡.”
So, when teens say their life tough times as their canon events, it means that they really feel that such struggles have a definite purpose, like polishing their personality.
The impact of canon events on teen culture
Although you might be thinking that canon event is good for teens to handle their life problems. However, you also have to think from a different angle, like what if they glamorize the struggles?
That’s why here, I’m weighing down its both positive and negative impacts on teens so you may be aware and better guide them!
Positive impact
Builds strength: Teens take inspiration from the movies depicting canon events, like if they face any tough time a breakup or a failed exam. Then instead of losing hope or showing cowardice, like committing suicide.
They would realize that just like the fiction movies, it’s a part of life and a step in their personal growth. Thus, they would handle their stress in a healthy way and stay strong.
Encourages reflection: Also, the most important thing is that when kids call something canon events, it means they are thinking about what has shaped them. Thus, they would identify their abilities or failures. And this self-awareness would help them a lot in making better choices in their future life.
Negative side
Normalization of Trauma: However, the major problem is that teens begin to label the major life issues, like family conflicts or even depression, as canon events. The thing is that such a mindset may temporarily relax them. But they begin to think that the problem is just meant to be. Thus, they wouldn’t seek any help from others, which may intensify their condition.
Glamorizes Struggle: Furthermore, teens, because of their lack of maturity, may develop the wrong mindset. Like if they want to grow, they must undergo the heartbreak or drama in their life. So, people run away from the problems, but they may wish to have them just to fit in with society.
Promotes Fatalism: Although everything that occurs to the person is predefined but you have to struggle to find the solution. But by labelling their life mishaps as canon events makes teens think that these are part of their storylines. And they do nothing to get out of it.
For instance, suppose a kid may fail in their math exams, and instead of getting help from the teachers/they would call it a canon event. Thus, without seeking help, they keep struggling.
Also, recently, in 2025, a report from the Pew Research Centre was published regarding the use of social media by U.S teens. You would be surprised to know that this social media has a negative impact on almost 50% of teens. For your information, such negative impacts usually occur when things like canon events normalize the serious issues.
How can parents guide teens through their canon events?
Now you are fully aware of what the canon events are and how teens would misunderstand them. However you are the well-wishers of your kids who can better guide what is true or wrong. So, here are some strategies that you must follow for your kids’ well-being!
Talk about canon events with teens
When it comes to communication with the kids, the first thing you must care about is your tone of talking. Kids understand the polite love language. So talk with them just like you are their friends, not have a strict parental attitude. Otherwise, kids would be afraid of sharing things with you.
So, you have to spend time with your kids and share your own daily routine. Then ask the kids about what they do today. Also, gently ask them whether they are facing any challenges related to studies, friendship, etc. Tell them if that is so, then share with you without any hesitation. Everyone in the world faces the same experiences, and these are the parts of life.
Encourage Learning: Also, tell your kids about what each challenge teaches them. You can say I’ve watched your video on TikTok, where you have called your maths exam failure the canon event.
So, here you have to ask what canon event means to them. Then, in your language guide them that just tagging isn’t okay, but you have to get lessons from it and develop good study habits to perform better next.
Using FlashGet Kids to support teens
Furthermore, I would suggest getting help from technology to set boundaries on the usage of social media. For instance, using parental control tools like FlashGet for kids would be a wise move. It would not help you set limitations but also provide you with real-time alerts, so you remain updated about kids’ digital activities 24/7.
- Screen Time Monitoring: owing to this app, you can set time limits on the usage of social media apps, like the TikTok app. That’s important because if your kids remain active on TikTok for 24 hours. Then it is more likely that they would be exposed to the TikTok coral trends like the canon events and many more like this.
- Content Filtering: Furthermore, using this app, it’s possible that you can filter out the harmful or triggering videos like canon events from the TikTok app.
- App Usage Report: Also, FlashGet Kids provides you with a detailed summary report about how much time you have spent in particular apps, like TikTok.
Conclusion
In summary, don’t think that canon events are just limited to the fiction movies. But they can even define your own personal life and make you what you are today is successful. However, teens, because of a lack of maturity, misinterpret this idea and begin to tag even more serious issues like depression, etc, which create problems later on.
Thus, being a parent, you can better guide your teens to understand the canon events. And turn their life challenges and online trends into an opportunity for self-growth. However, for having a complete peace of mind, regarding kids’ digital safety, it would be best to leverage the FlashGet Kids parental control app.
