I physically cringe when I hear people say, “this generation is too sensitive,” or “these young people are just so soft.” Millennials and Gen Z’ers are not soft or too sensitive. I think we’ve been radical agents for change and are actively trying to make the world a more inclusive place.
It isn’t wrong to want to question the obviously flawed society we were born in and strive to create the world we’d want our children to be brought into. But, due to the consuming nature of the internet, there are people who cross the line. These people are considered to be “chronically online.” The term, refers to someone who spends way too much time online to the point where they lose where their personality ends, and the internet begins specifically when it comes to social issues and political opinions.
It’s difficult to talk about the concept of being “chronically online” without seeming like an insensitive person. But I think we should be able to critique progressive thinking even as progressive people. Because, while some of these comments do hold validity to a degree, I don’t think being chronically online is harm reductive.
And, listen, the internet can be a transformative place that allows people to learn about points of view they wouldn’t typically be able to experience, in turn, creating people who are more aware of social and political issues that affect more than just themselves. But, what happens when that is taken to the extreme?
I’ve once seen someone say that a paralyzed person was being ableist because they said they wished they could walk again. Like, is that not completely uncalled for? But, these people get so wrapped up in the “woke” culture of the internet that they almost create problems where there are none. And this is where the harm in being chronically online comes. Casual ableism is such a huge problem. There are so many words that we all use in our daily vernacular that further dehumanize people with all kinds of disabilities and that is an issue that needs to be addressed. But, how can we get people who may be ignorant to these issues to want to hear us out when there are people saying the most ridiculous things online?
But where does this come from? From observation, I think it comes from young people who lack real world experience. Eager to learn about the world around them and disassociate themselves from the problematic ideology of the people in their family or town, they cling to all of the “-isms” as a way to unlearn what they’ve been taught thus far. On the surface, that sounds like a perfectly effective way to be a positive force in a society that is progressing so rapidly. But, when you have no context of the reality many people outside of your four walls live in, it can be difficult to think critically about the things you learn and consume on the internet.
In conclusion, I think these people mean well. And I applaud them for trying to be active members of a progressive society. But, I also implore young people to think critically about what they see online. Like the old adage says, you can believe everything you see on TV and the same goes for the internet. Remember it’s easy for people to sound like they know what they are talking about just because they use big words and speak with confidence, but you don’t have to take their word as bond. Take the knowledge you gain from social media and try your best to apply it to the real world. When people speak, try to listen first before shoving some half-baked think piece some random person on TikTok posted down the person’s throat. And most importantly, be kind.
