This may be the single most effect text I have read to motivate me to stop doomscrolling. You articulated perfectly how I feel after I’ve gone one of those addictive black holes of freed-refreshings. I particularly felt a pang of relatability when you describe how much you care about the internet. It’s an important place for me too, and I feel truly sad about how much it has cluttered up. Like my favourite park has been left full of trash after an illegal raver, or something. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading Sara 🫶🏻 and so happy this resonated with you, particularly the part about caring about the internet as an "environment" we live in, albeit a digital one!
Wow! Thank you for writing this. This perfectly captures everything I hate about the internet now. I actually just logged out of all of my social accounts a week ago as a way to take a breather from doomscrolling after the election, but a secondary benefit is not seeing any of this nonsense. It really does make life better. I fear just opting out as individuals, however, won't bring back the internet of the "old days."
I think the platforms themselves also have to take action to decipher what is good and bad engagement - what is meaningful discourse VS what is just hacking the system to cause outrage. I don't see any evidence that platforms are doing this. I'm sure it's not an easy task but I think they need to get a handle on it, otherwise I think more people will start leaving completely in droves.
Love this! I literally can’t go on Facebook anymore because it’s just an endless stream of creepy photos of AI generated celebrities. I wish I could just deactivate it but not willing to give up Facebook marketplace and events 🥲
Love this! The internet is a hellhole I love and hate and love, I relate to that so much. I particularly agree re: the part of children. It’s horrifying out there for them! Such low quality, just numbing them out. We’ve not yet given my 7 yr old their own iPad or let them watch YouTube without us (we watch old concert footage, or classic sports moments etc with him). We are swimming against the tide already with his peers which is sad and hard!
Thank you so much for reading Danielle! I think swimming against the tide sounds like the perfect way to describe it - I really don't envy the challenges parents are facing with this. Well done for being super mindful about your child's internet use 👏👏👏 you're awesome
Thanks so much, Caoilainn! I try to write about raising humans in a digital world, among other things, on here. I’ve been loving following your writing — such important, interesting work!🧡
Tiktok is already a triggering word for me. Ugh. Engagement is the very destructor of normal human interaction. In the past (back in my day lol), we had a group of friends we keep up with. Successful businesspeople had many different acquaintance probably at least one in each country but they keep up through email or phone calls. Nobody had to maintain their presence for a million pairs of eyes. I watched YT videos of content creators who have been making videos for years and many of them felt fed up at some point, wanting to quit social media, because they had to make a new video weekly, giving access to strangers to their daily activities.
The junk tutorials on how to make junk videos is crazy!! I can't believe time is now so valuable and we're literally gambling with it. Who will ever say to their loved ones (kids / friends / pets / ...) I wish I scrolled longer?!
Thank you for the wonderfully written article. I knew a lot of these points individually but when summarized like this…how have I not been more angry or aware!? I was not aware of the AI involvement of quickly created children’s TV on YouTube but now recognizing I have seen this before with my own kids. I distinctly remember thinking “WTF is this garbage?” - it was clearly what you’ve described here. I deleted my IG (completely) 1 month ago and it has been freeing. My feed was the definition of mom-themed digital trash and I was deep into it. Fridge restock videos galore.
Thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful comment, Glynnis! I am not a parent but I really feel for anyone who is - it's a minefield out there and I can't believe how shamelessly people target children and busy mothers with content that isn't supportive or helpful in the slightest. I really worry about mothers watching things like fridge restocks and other unrealistic content and having that affirm a narrative that they are not doing things "as good" as other parents. It's all fake. Well done for deleting your Instagram 👏
I really agree with you - I, too, grew up at least partially on the internet and I remember the early days of YouTube with such fondness. I think even from early there was that kind of rage-bait-y content (early creators who I enjoyed would still often participate in trends like the cinnamon challenge), but at the same time it was so much easier to find things that actually filled your cup! I've never wanted to totally quit using platforms like YouTube/Instagram etc because tucked away in little corners there's so much genuinely interesting media, but I increasingly find myself scrolling through titles and thumbnails instead of finding anything I actually want to watch.
one note for those who don't want to totally delete TikTok is that I've started scrolling only on my 'Following' tab, and it's altered my enjoyment of the app massively because I can curate that experience
I forgot about the cinnamon challenge 🤣 that seems so innocent compared to the content that you find online these days. That's exactly my problem with it as well - it can be extremely enjoyable to watch YouTube videos and follow artists you like on social media, but the platforms are engineered to make controlled usage very difficult because they are always trying to pull out attention. That is interesting about the following tab - I don't know the ins and outs of TikTok as I've never had it. Does it have an "explore" page similar to Instagram? I'm sure they will think of some way to pull you off the Following tab in underhand ways... Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! 🩷
Yeah - I do think the cinnamon challenge, and accounts like FoodForLouis were precursors to the current internet climate, but they were much more niche at the time.
I totally agree, Instagram in particular is so bad for pulling attention and the experience was so much better when it was just a chronological feed of people you followed.
W/r/t Tiktok, it has a ‘for you’ tab (the default) which is just things that the algorithm thinks you’ll like (aka the worst) that it will pull you back to every time you open the app, but if you’re scrolling on the Following tab it will only show people you follow (plus ads)
I've also noticed that UX pattern with YouTube's iOS app - when I open the app to search something, it is pulling me directly to their reels/shorts or whatever their version of TikTok is called, so irritating!
Yes, so annoying - I would like all my apps to stick to their original purposes 😭 To be honest, I could see substack introducing some kind of short form video function in the not too distant future, which would be so sad!
I felt this. Especially where you talk about protecting the integrity of the internet to avoid things getting worse.
I have a feeling that on the web like on the streets, collective action is what’s really needed. Entire communities, including mega brands with their followers, leaving. Or at least saying what you’re saying but even louder—similarly to how some do with climate change (still not enough on that front either but, hey)
This is exactly why I don't have TikTok, but haven't yet managed to articulate why, I just *know* that it won't be good for my mental health or my soul. You're absolutely right, there is so much utter drivel out there, I see it more so with my kids when they get a minute of unsupervised access to YouTube, it's incredible how quickly and how pervasive those shite videos are. Your essay is another nudge from the universe that scrolling must stop. I hope one day we all view social media like smoking, some people still think it's cool, but in reality it's just horrible for your health.
I 100% agree with every word. I feel content nowadays is created fast and for the clicks. I, for example, actively decided to stay out of TikTok, I also think it’s one of the worst platforms out there. Also, I started “hiding” content in Instagram to teach the algorithm, and it got a little better. Thank you for writing such a powerful (and needed) post!
Wow, it was so good! Was really looking forward to reading this, Salad Fingers!! 🫶 This thing with the videos for children is so shocking though, wow :(
Neuroscientist Eric Hoel wrote about all the weird and shitty AI kids' programming back in February and made some astute observations on that, you might enjoy it https://substack.com/@erikhoel/p-138733903
This may be the single most effect text I have read to motivate me to stop doomscrolling. You articulated perfectly how I feel after I’ve gone one of those addictive black holes of freed-refreshings. I particularly felt a pang of relatability when you describe how much you care about the internet. It’s an important place for me too, and I feel truly sad about how much it has cluttered up. Like my favourite park has been left full of trash after an illegal raver, or something. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading Sara 🫶🏻 and so happy this resonated with you, particularly the part about caring about the internet as an "environment" we live in, albeit a digital one!
Wow! Thank you for writing this. This perfectly captures everything I hate about the internet now. I actually just logged out of all of my social accounts a week ago as a way to take a breather from doomscrolling after the election, but a secondary benefit is not seeing any of this nonsense. It really does make life better. I fear just opting out as individuals, however, won't bring back the internet of the "old days."
I think the platforms themselves also have to take action to decipher what is good and bad engagement - what is meaningful discourse VS what is just hacking the system to cause outrage. I don't see any evidence that platforms are doing this. I'm sure it's not an easy task but I think they need to get a handle on it, otherwise I think more people will start leaving completely in droves.
Love this! I literally can’t go on Facebook anymore because it’s just an endless stream of creepy photos of AI generated celebrities. I wish I could just deactivate it but not willing to give up Facebook marketplace and events 🥲
Facebook is one of the strangest places on earth these days 🤣
Love this! The internet is a hellhole I love and hate and love, I relate to that so much. I particularly agree re: the part of children. It’s horrifying out there for them! Such low quality, just numbing them out. We’ve not yet given my 7 yr old their own iPad or let them watch YouTube without us (we watch old concert footage, or classic sports moments etc with him). We are swimming against the tide already with his peers which is sad and hard!
Thank you so much for reading Danielle! I think swimming against the tide sounds like the perfect way to describe it - I really don't envy the challenges parents are facing with this. Well done for being super mindful about your child's internet use 👏👏👏 you're awesome
Thanks so much, Caoilainn! I try to write about raising humans in a digital world, among other things, on here. I’ve been loving following your writing — such important, interesting work!🧡
Tiktok is already a triggering word for me. Ugh. Engagement is the very destructor of normal human interaction. In the past (back in my day lol), we had a group of friends we keep up with. Successful businesspeople had many different acquaintance probably at least one in each country but they keep up through email or phone calls. Nobody had to maintain their presence for a million pairs of eyes. I watched YT videos of content creators who have been making videos for years and many of them felt fed up at some point, wanting to quit social media, because they had to make a new video weekly, giving access to strangers to their daily activities.
The junk tutorials on how to make junk videos is crazy!! I can't believe time is now so valuable and we're literally gambling with it. Who will ever say to their loved ones (kids / friends / pets / ...) I wish I scrolled longer?!
Thank you for the wonderfully written article. I knew a lot of these points individually but when summarized like this…how have I not been more angry or aware!? I was not aware of the AI involvement of quickly created children’s TV on YouTube but now recognizing I have seen this before with my own kids. I distinctly remember thinking “WTF is this garbage?” - it was clearly what you’ve described here. I deleted my IG (completely) 1 month ago and it has been freeing. My feed was the definition of mom-themed digital trash and I was deep into it. Fridge restock videos galore.
Thank you for your words! 🤍
Thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful comment, Glynnis! I am not a parent but I really feel for anyone who is - it's a minefield out there and I can't believe how shamelessly people target children and busy mothers with content that isn't supportive or helpful in the slightest. I really worry about mothers watching things like fridge restocks and other unrealistic content and having that affirm a narrative that they are not doing things "as good" as other parents. It's all fake. Well done for deleting your Instagram 👏
I really agree with you - I, too, grew up at least partially on the internet and I remember the early days of YouTube with such fondness. I think even from early there was that kind of rage-bait-y content (early creators who I enjoyed would still often participate in trends like the cinnamon challenge), but at the same time it was so much easier to find things that actually filled your cup! I've never wanted to totally quit using platforms like YouTube/Instagram etc because tucked away in little corners there's so much genuinely interesting media, but I increasingly find myself scrolling through titles and thumbnails instead of finding anything I actually want to watch.
one note for those who don't want to totally delete TikTok is that I've started scrolling only on my 'Following' tab, and it's altered my enjoyment of the app massively because I can curate that experience
I forgot about the cinnamon challenge 🤣 that seems so innocent compared to the content that you find online these days. That's exactly my problem with it as well - it can be extremely enjoyable to watch YouTube videos and follow artists you like on social media, but the platforms are engineered to make controlled usage very difficult because they are always trying to pull out attention. That is interesting about the following tab - I don't know the ins and outs of TikTok as I've never had it. Does it have an "explore" page similar to Instagram? I'm sure they will think of some way to pull you off the Following tab in underhand ways... Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! 🩷
Yeah - I do think the cinnamon challenge, and accounts like FoodForLouis were precursors to the current internet climate, but they were much more niche at the time.
I totally agree, Instagram in particular is so bad for pulling attention and the experience was so much better when it was just a chronological feed of people you followed.
W/r/t Tiktok, it has a ‘for you’ tab (the default) which is just things that the algorithm thinks you’ll like (aka the worst) that it will pull you back to every time you open the app, but if you’re scrolling on the Following tab it will only show people you follow (plus ads)
I've also noticed that UX pattern with YouTube's iOS app - when I open the app to search something, it is pulling me directly to their reels/shorts or whatever their version of TikTok is called, so irritating!
Yes, so annoying - I would like all my apps to stick to their original purposes 😭 To be honest, I could see substack introducing some kind of short form video function in the not too distant future, which would be so sad!
I felt this. Especially where you talk about protecting the integrity of the internet to avoid things getting worse.
I have a feeling that on the web like on the streets, collective action is what’s really needed. Entire communities, including mega brands with their followers, leaving. Or at least saying what you’re saying but even louder—similarly to how some do with climate change (still not enough on that front either but, hey)
Exactly!! That is why I purposely wrote several times "our internet" - we need to be the stewards of it 💚 thanks so much for reading
This is exactly why I don't have TikTok, but haven't yet managed to articulate why, I just *know* that it won't be good for my mental health or my soul. You're absolutely right, there is so much utter drivel out there, I see it more so with my kids when they get a minute of unsupervised access to YouTube, it's incredible how quickly and how pervasive those shite videos are. Your essay is another nudge from the universe that scrolling must stop. I hope one day we all view social media like smoking, some people still think it's cool, but in reality it's just horrible for your health.
Thanks so much for reading, Amy!
I 100% agree with every word. I feel content nowadays is created fast and for the clicks. I, for example, actively decided to stay out of TikTok, I also think it’s one of the worst platforms out there. Also, I started “hiding” content in Instagram to teach the algorithm, and it got a little better. Thank you for writing such a powerful (and needed) post!
interestingly , im writing a very similar piece about the mindjunk thats the internet has become😄
Back in my day ... , love this article. Totally resonates with me. Thank you.
Wonderfully aruged, Caoilainn. And thanks for the shout out!
Wow, it was so good! Was really looking forward to reading this, Salad Fingers!! 🫶 This thing with the videos for children is so shocking though, wow :(
Neuroscientist Eric Hoel wrote about all the weird and shitty AI kids' programming back in February and made some astute observations on that, you might enjoy it https://substack.com/@erikhoel/p-138733903
Thank you for sharing! 🫶🏻