Coldplay 'kiss cam' underlines what I learned on the cheer team at 15

The internet has been abuzz about a "kiss cam" moment at a recent Coldplay concert, where a couple's awkward interaction became viral content. Watching the clip brought back vivid memories of my own experiences with public pressure at age 15.

During my sophomore year on the cheerleading squad, we performed at basketball games where the kiss cam was a regular halftime feature. I watched countless couples navigate that moment of public expectation, some with joy, others with visible discomfort.

The Coldplay incident reminded me of something I learned then: being put on the spot in public creates a unique form of pressure that can make people act in ways they normally wouldn't.

I remember one particular game where the kiss cam landed on a couple who clearly weren't comfortable. The crowd cheered encouragingly, but you could see the tension in their body language. They eventually gave an awkward peck, but it felt forced.

That experience taught me about consent and public pressure long before these concepts were widely discussed in social media contexts. Even something as seemingly innocent as a kiss cam can create uncomfortable situations.

The viral Coldplay moment reflects how social media has amplified these pressures. What once might have been an awkward moment shared with a few thousand people in an arena is now viewed by millions online.

Comments on the video range from supportive to critical, with many people analyzing the couple's body language and relationship dynamics based on a few seconds of footage. This level of scrutiny would have been unimaginable when I was 15.

What strikes me most is how the internet has created a culture where private moments become public entertainment. The couple at the concert probably never imagined their interaction would be dissected by strangers worldwide.

My cheerleading days taught me to recognize when someone is uncomfortable, even when they're trying to play along. Body language speaks louder than forced smiles, and genuine happiness looks different from performed joy.

The lesson from both experiences is the same: we should be more aware of the pressure we put on others, whether we're a crowd at a sporting event or viewers on social media.

Perhaps it's time to reconsider traditions like kiss cams altogether, or at least approach them with more sensitivity to the people who become unwitting participants in our entertainment.