Shock, Rage And Gallows Humor: A Brexit Backlash On Social Media

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U.K. voters have decided to leave the European Union — a result that's left many Brits reeling, especially young people.

Social media is flooded with expressions of shock and rage as the country begins to digest what the monumental decision will mean for its economy and its future.

On-the-day polls show a strong generational divide on the issue, with at least 73 percent of voters aged 18-24 wanting to remain in the EU. By contrast, only 40 percent of voters over 65 wanted to stay.

From my 12,000-sample referendum day poll - how Britain voted: pic.twitter.com/IiDGCtB5Wi — Lord Ashcroft (@LordAshcroft) June 24, 2016

It's that divide that has provoked this backlash from young people, who accuse older generations of choosing a future that they don't want. "Freedom of movement was taken away by our parents, uncles and grandparents in a parting blow to a generation that was already drowning in the debts of our predecessors," reads a comment on a Financial Times article that has been shared tens of thousands of times.

As the commenter writes, "The younger generation has lost the right to live and work in 27 other countries. We will never know the full extent of the lost opportunities, friendships, marriages and experience we will be denied."

This comment from a reader of the FT puts it better than I ever could. pic.twitter.com/fXupQYi24O — mooooo (@AD7863) June 24, 2016

The hashtag #WhatHaveWeDone, which is trending in the U.K., provides a stark snapshot of the rage, disgust and sadness many young Brits feel about the result. Here's a selection of tweets:

Can hear a baby screaming blue murder next door. Can only imagine he has woken up to hear the news about his future. #WhatHaveWeDone #EUref — Rach (@MintyMuzza85) June 24, 2016

Turns out that pensioners hate "immigrants" more than they love their grandchildren. #WhatHaveWeDone #NotMyVote — Laceybloke (@laceybloke) June 24, 2016

I felt a star drop this morning. If I had my way, it would still be shining bright on the #EU flag. #WhatHaveWeDone pic.twitter.com/fwaHj6jpdk — Luke Abrahams (@travellerluke) June 24, 2016

We have opted for unemployment, no trade, low wages and a recession - but don't worry because we are 'free' #WhatHaveWeDone — Elle-Louise Smith (@Elle_smith95) June 24, 2016

Feeling sorry for college staff dealing with 16-17s who had no vote & feel they have been sold out by the older generation. #WhatHaveWeDone — Ian Rule (@IanRule) June 24, 2016

#WhatHaveWeDone - A generation given everything: Free education, golden pensions & social mobility voted to strip next generation's future! — Jamie Tinsley (@jamietinsley156) June 24, 2016

Of course, a sizable number of young people supported the move and are celebrating:

#WhatHaveWeDone Become a self-governing nation, restored supremacy of British law and established strong border controls. What's to dislike? — Christopher Larks (@ChrisPLarks) June 24, 2016

What a day to be British 🙌🏻 #VoteLeave — Chris Morris (@ChrisMorris_6) June 24, 2016

The referendum result has also provoked some excellent gallows humor, poking fun at British food and at the immediate economic implications of leaving the EU.

Nipped to the shop for some breakfast. And so it begins. #EUrefResults pic.twitter.com/lLcdxCHj7p — Marc Iles (@MarcIles) June 24, 2016

Say goodbye to croissants, people. Delicious croissants. We're stuck with crumpets FOREVER. — Matthew Stanger (@MatthewStanger) June 24, 2016

Gorgeous view out across the Irish Sea from Dublin this morning. pic.twitter.com/lRpZ3IkR3F — Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) June 24, 2016

In light of Brexit...the new £20 note has just been revealed. pic.twitter.com/74HuDnzPqj — Sacha Lord (@Sacha_whp) June 24, 2016

Live scenes from the Channel tunnel. pic.twitter.com/l04wXKpjaq — John Myers (@johnmyersteam) June 24, 2016

Twitter sums up the UK's situation right now quite nicely... pic.twitter.com/3XGjm8crqC — Lux (@Callux) June 24, 2016

It's also prompted the classic "moving to Canada" reaction, with some social media users posting that they are researching other places to live. According to Google Trends, they have plenty of company.

In a Guardian opinion piece, writer Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett argues that young people are right to be angry, especially the "16-year-olds who were denied the right to participate in this referendum." Here's more from Cosslett:

"...[I]f you are young and you are experiencing feelings of fury and heartbreak about the result, you are justified in doing so. The political is personal; the way that the future weeks, months and years play out will have powerful, definable consequences on the way you live. This is one of those momentous turning points in our personal timelines; if you're pissed off, you are right to be."

You can find our coverage of the vote result here.