In the early 2010s, “Get Off My Internets” was a popular yet hateful online forum where bloggers were frequently bashed. I was a blogger back then, and I once joked that I had “made it” when my name appeared on that website. Essentially, people were creating Reddit-like posts that listed reasons why these bloggers needed to “get off my internets.” It was a toxic and might even still exist if I dug deep enough, but in reminiscing about this harmful place on the web, I had a thought — in current times, I think it might benefit all of us to “Get Off My Internets.”
Somewhere between 2012 and 2022, Instagram and Facebook transitioned from friendly sites where we shared cute baby pictures and morning breakfast plates to a place where we shared our deepest beliefs and desires with every person we knew, or, on the public side of things, to a room full of strangers.
I think it’s wild human behavior to share everything online, but I am not innocent. As a classic enneagram 1 who wants life to be fair and just, I have spoken up online for what I believe in, knowing it could ruffle some feathers. I believe advocacy is important, but I also recognize that my small, private account is unlikely to sway anyone’s opinion. And then I wonder why I’m sharing online in the first place.
In the 1990s, typically around Christmas time, my grandparents, aunt, and uncle would have lively discussions about politics and religion over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. I was usually in a different room playing, and also too young to care, but I heard enough to know that they had a difference in beliefs. They would have heated debates, and then we’d move on to dinner, dessert, coffee, and card games, and eventually, hugs and goodbyes. There were no cancellations for saying the wrong thing; there were no phone calls later to continue the conversation. A discussion was had, and that was that.
Nowadays, with smartphones at our fingertips, we can engage in heated debates at any time of day. Can’t sleep in the middle of the night? Might as well comment on a post. Feeling restless in the middle of the day? Better scroll through Instagram to read the latest news story. We are certainly living in different times than we were in the 90s, and I wonder how much the internet has to do with that.
Wouldn’t it be nice? If we could just get off of it?
No more hateful comments, no more cancellations, no more drama because of what someone did or did not say. More unity, more in-person conversations, more empathy, more compassion.
If that’s not possible, perhaps we can return to the basics? More baby pictures, pictures of food, outfits, and hobbies — all of the things that we love and bring us joy, and none of the things that hurt us. Save the deeper conversations for face-to-face. I guarantee the discussions would be more kind.
We live in a broken world, but this is the first time in history that people have the ability to see every tragic event in real time, with instant opinions, and therefore more toxicity and division.
I’m so sick of it, and I’m also worried that it’s literally making us sick.
Can we all try to take breaks more often?
Just get off the internet.
