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Did the Cool Cabana controversy actually reveal a bigger problem on our hands?

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From Cool Cabana controversies to Skye Wheatley’s glowing reviews of ‘collariums’, the start of 2025 has been rife with conversations around sun safety. As a country with one of the highest UV radiation levels in the world, you’d really think we would have already settled on the matter.

Apparently not.

Where did it all start?

Roughly three weeks ago, TikToker Guncle Diaries hard launch a hate campaign against Cool Cabana. From their unsightliness to taking up so much prime beach real estate, no aspect of the cabana was left uncriticised. And despite the seemingly random post, it appears that it hit a nerve. With a lot of people, for that matter.

Fast forward three weeks and the entire nation has been thrown into a debate in defining one seemingly straightforward question. What is proper beach etiquette? Naturally, one question remained at the top of the agenda to address.

Are Cool Cabanas dicky?

In the process of answering this not-so-simple question, almost everyone has shared their two cents on the matter. Some say they’re a totally arrogant eyesore. Others proclaim the humble cabana as a salvation for Aussies looking to protect themselves from the sun. Even the Prime Minister, as well as Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce weighed in, asserting, “I just think, wear a shirt, wear a hat and once you’ve had enough sun, get off the beach.” But then again, he kinda looks like a roided up tomato at the best of times. So perhaps he’s not the best opinion to revere.

Regardless of where you stand, I think we can all agree that this took up way too much brain space. Like, seriously.

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But alas, this was only the start…

With the passage of time and dwindling of landing page headlines, many of us welcomed the slowing commentary around the bloody Cool Cabana. That was, of course, until the conversation was reignited. This time, in a whole new light thanks to…da da da da…influencer Skye Wheatley.

Wheatley, a 30-year old Gold Coast influencer, is almost exclusively renowned for her ultra bronzy tan. And while her typical domain might be plugging fake tan products, it appears she may be taking things to a whole new level. In a now deleted video posted last weekend, Wheatley took to social media to promote a ‘collarium’. She apparently claimed the sunbed boasted all the benefits of a traditional solarium, without possessing any of its dangers that we’ve come to know all too well.

In short, it was total fucking bullshit, and Wheatley was called out stat. Which is no surprise, really, because she was cancelled on the internet for the exact same thing back in 2023. But what’s less surprising, yet far more terrifying, is the fact that this backlash doesn’t appear to be coming from Gen Z. In fact, TikTok tanning trends are increasingly on the rise, and that points to a much larger problem.

How does this fall back on Gen Z?

ABC News reports that #sunburnttanlines has over 200 million views on TikTok, and that’s only the start. Whether it be recommending followers to lather up on the oil, or go outside to tan at the strongest UV hours of the day, us Gen Z have clearly not received the message that ‘there’s nothing healthy about a tan’. For fucks sake, there are even influencers claiming to not use sunscreen because it causes cancer. I mean, you couldn’t script the irony if you tried.

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What do you think? Post a comment

Those from older decades have speculated many reasons as to why this trend could be happening. A predominant running theory is that unlike non-Gen Z’s, who grew up watching government television ads that terrified us into the dangers of skin cancer, most of us only watch streaming services like Netflix. And it’s a shame, really, because despite being an older Gen Z myself, those classic sun safety ads are synonymous with so many Australians’ youth.

There are even AI apps now coaching users on when, where and for how long to go outside to achieve ‘that perfect glow’. It essentially gamifies the process, recommending exposure at UV extremes of 11+ so that a ‘Cinnamon Latte Glow’ can be achieved. And let’s be real, it’s apps like this, backed with influencer endorsement, that ends one way and one way only.

So where to from here?

It’s clear that as far as sun safety goes, Gen Z, for the most part, just haven’t got the memo. And whether it’s an education gap compared to our older peers, or simply an outright disregard for your future self, something needs to change. Fast.

As a country with one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, it begs the question. Should we really be spending our time divided over the humble beach cabana? Or instead, do we take this as a sign that perhaps common sense just isn’t all that common anymore? All I’ll say is, maybe an impending La Nina isn’t a bad thing after all.

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