Have you ever noticed how the internet seems to be creeping into every aspect of our lives? It’s not just that we’re spending more time online—whether for work, socializing, or entertainment—it’s that the very way we think, feel, and act is starting to mirror the digital world we’ve created.
We’re becoming more like the internet: constantly searching for something new, pruning our memories and past experiences like old files, and living in a state of perpetual information overload.
But what does it mean to become like the internet? And is this a good thing? Or are we losing something vital in the process? Let’s dive into these questions and explore how this digital adaptation is shaping our lives, for better and for worse.
The Endless Search for Newness
The internet is an endless source of novelty, with something fresh around every virtual corner. A study by Microsoft found that the average human attention span has dropped to just eight seconds—less than that of a goldfish—partly due to the constant influx of digital information. This relentless quest for newness is starting to shape our behavior in the real world. We crave novelty in our everyday lives, too, always on the lookout for the next big thing, the next experience, the next opportunity.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—curiosity and a desire for growth are natural human traits. But when the search for newness becomes compulsive, it can prevent us from fully engaging with the present moment or appreciating what we already have.
This drive for constant novelty is reflected in our online behaviour.
According to data from the Global Web Index, the average person spends around 6 hours and 59 minutes online each day, with much of that time spent on social media, where new content is always just a scroll away. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok thrive on this need for newness, with algorithms designed to keep users engaged by continually offering fresh content.
But there’s a downside to this perpetual search for novelty.
We develop what you might call “digital ADHD,” with attention spans shrinking as we become increasingly distracted, constantly flitting from one thing to the next. The moment something stops being new, we lose interest and move on, often without fully processing or reflecting on what we’ve just experienced. This can leave us feeling unfulfilled like we’re always chasing something just out of reach.
Pruning the Past
The internet is a double-edged sword when it comes to memory.
On one hand, it archives everything. Every post, every tweet, every photo we’ve ever shared is stored somewhere in the digital ether.
On the other hand, it encourages us to focus almost exclusively on the here and now. Search engines and social media algorithms prioritize the latest content, pushing older information out of sight and out of mind.
This emphasis on the present is starting to affect how we think about our own lives. We’re becoming more selective about what we remember and what we forget. We prune our past like we would our social media profiles, keeping only the highlights and deleting the rest.
In a survey conducted by Kaspersky Lab, 91% of participants admitted to using the internet as an extension of their brain, relying on it for remembering facts and information. This reliance on digital memory means that we’re outsourcing our personal histories to the cloud, where they can be easily edited or forgotten. We’re increasingly focused on the present and the future, often at the expense of the past.
This isn’t just about forgetting the bad stuff—though that’s part of it. It’s also about losing touch with the richness and complexity of our personal histories. Our memories are what shape us, and give us a sense of identity and continuity. When we start pruning our memories too aggressively, we risk losing a part of ourselves. We might become more efficient, and more focused on the future, but we also become more superficial, and less rooted in who we are and where we’ve come from.
Living in Overload Mode
One of the most obvious ways we’re becoming like the internet is in how we handle information. The internet is a firehose of data, spewing out more than we could ever hope to process. According to IBM, 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created every day, and this number is only increasing as more devices come online and more content is generated.
Living in this constant state of information overload can be exhausting. We’re always filtering, always skimming, trying to extract the bits that are relevant or interesting and discard the rest. The average office worker now receives 121 emails per day, and this constant influx of information makes it hard to focus or think deeply about anything. We become overwhelmed, mentally drained, and sometimes even paralyzed by the endless choices and decisions we have to make.
This overload affects more than just our ability to concentrate. It can also lead to anxiety, stress, and burnout. The American Psychological Association has noted a significant increase in stress levels due to information overload, with 20% of Americans reporting high levels of stress due to the sheer amount of information they are exposed to.
In this state of overload, it’s hard to find the time or mental space for creativity, reflection, or meaningful connections with others. We’re always “on,” always connected, but often in ways that are shallow and unsatisfying. A study by the University of California, Irvine, found that it takes an average of 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction, which means that constant interruptions from notifications and new content can severely hinder our productivity and well-being.
The Adaptation Dilemma
Humans are incredibly adaptable creatures. We’ve evolved to survive and thrive in a wide range of environments, from the frozen tundra to the tropical rainforest. And now, we’re adapting to a new environment: the digital world. This adaptation isn’t just about learning how to use technology or navigate the internet—it’s about how our minds and behaviors are changing in response to this new reality.
One of the most interesting ways this adaptation is manifesting is in what you might call “hyperlinked thinking.” Just as the internet is a web of interconnected pages and ideas, our thoughts are becoming more fragmented and interconnected. We think in bits and pieces, jumping from one idea to the next like clicking on hyperlinks. This kind of thinking is fast, flexible, and well-suited to the digital age. It allows us to process large amounts of information quickly, to make connections between different ideas, and to multitask effectively.
But there’s a downside to this hyperlinked thinking. It can make it harder to concentrate, to think deeply or linearly. A study by King’s College London found that excessive use of digital devices can lead to “digital dementia,” a decline in cognitive abilities similar to the effects of brain damage. We become so used to skimming the surface that we lose the ability to dive deep. Our thoughts become scattered, our attention divided. We may know a little about a lot of things, but we struggle to master any one thing.
Another aspect of this digital adaptation is the way we seek validation. In the real world, social validation comes from face-to-face interactions, from the relationships we build and the feedback we get from others. Online, validation is quantified—likes, shares, comments, followers. These metrics can be addictive, leading us to shape our behavior in ways that maximize our online approval rather than reflecting our true selves.
A study by the Royal Society for Public Health found that social media use is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep among young people. This constant need for validation can make us more performative, more concerned with how we appear to others than with who we really are. It can also make us more anxious and less secure, as our self-worth becomes tied to the fluctuating opinions of others. In a world where everything is public and everyone is a potential critic, it’s easy to feel exposed and vulnerable.
The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
One of the most insidious ways the internet is shaping our lives is through the fear of missing out, or FOMO. The internet is a never-ending stream of updates—new posts, new tweets, new videos, new everything. There’s always something happening, always something to see or do. And because we’re constantly connected, we’re constantly aware of what we might be missing.
A survey by Eventbrite found that 69% of millennials experience FOMO, and this awareness can be paralyzing. It’s hard to commit to any one thing when you’re always wondering if there’s something better out there. We become restless, indecisive, afraid to miss out on the next big thing. This FOMO isn’t just about missing out on fun or interesting experiences—it’s about missing out on opportunities, on success, on life itself.
FOMO can make it difficult to be present, to enjoy the moment. We’re always looking ahead, always distracted by the possibilities of what might be happening elsewhere. It can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction, of never being fully content or fulfilled. We may have more choices than ever before, but that abundance of choice can leave us feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled.
Balancing Adaptation and Well-being
So, what can we do about it? How can we adapt to the digital world without losing ourselves in the process? The key is finding a balance between embracing the benefits of the internet and protecting our mental and emotional well-being.
One way to do this is by practicing mindfulness—being fully present in the moment, without judgment. Mindfulness can help counteract the effects of information overload, hyperlinked thinking, and FOMO. It encourages us to slow down, to focus on one thing at a time, and to appreciate the here and now.
Another strategy is to set boundaries with technology. According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, reducing social media use to just 30 minutes a day can significantly decrease levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. This might mean taking regular breaks from screens, turning off notifications, or designating certain times of the day as “digital-free” zones. By creating space for deep work, reflection, and real-world interactions, we can regain some of the focus and fulfillment that’s been lost in the digital age.
It’s also important to reconnect with our pasts, to honor our memories and experiences. This doesn’t mean living in the past, but rather acknowledging it as an essential part of who we are. Journaling, storytelling, and spending time with loved ones can help us maintain that connection to our personal histories.
Finally, we need to be mindful of how we seek validation. Instead of relying on likes and shares, we can focus on building genuine relationships and seeking feedback from people we trust. This can help us stay true to ourselves and avoid the trap of performative behavior.
Embracing the Future, And Preserving the Past
As we continue to adapt to the digital world, it’s important to remember that we are more than just the sum of our online interactions. The internet is a powerful tool, but it’s just that—a tool. It can enhance our lives in countless ways, but it shouldn’t define us.
By being mindful of how we’re changing and taking steps to preserve what’s most important, we can navigate this digital transformation with intention and balance.
In the end, becoming like the internet isn’t inevitable—it’s a choice.
We can choose to embrace the best aspects of the digital age while also holding on to the qualities that make us uniquely human: our ability to think deeply, to connect meaningfully with others, and to find contentment in the present moment.
As we move forward into an increasingly digital future, let’s do so with our eyes wide open, aware of both the opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead.