The internet & depression

[letmejoindeath]

Looking at suicide rates and depression statistics how many of you believe the internet or technology has contributed to the increasing amounts of unhappiness we are all experiencing?

What is a way that the internet has affected you negatively? How would not having the internet make your situation better?

Curious to hear what you have to say. Give me the details.

 

[steppenwolf]

None of these Tinterwebs when I was a boy. You had to square up to the bullies face-to-face.

Seriously, the Internet is a sanctuary. My PC is my life support machine. I suppose I can remember how to live without it and face people again, but why would I want to? The world is depressing enough even without the Internet to let you know exactly how depressing it is, and I think it's best to know.

 

[hermestrimegistus]

Incredibly isolating. Having to resort to meeting people online. Internet validation being a social currency. And when in public settings a lot of people are seperated and just on their own devices. Might as well not even be in the same room

 

[LonelyKitten]

The internet was my only best friend until I was like, 18.
All I had to shield me and give me any escape from the awful circumstances I was born into.
And it allowed me to find out, to see, who/what I really am and wanted to be.
It's only because of it that I managed to have a few good happy years after my childhood (because it even let me move countries. And in the new country, its information gathering let me actually navigate my surroundings decently).

Now though, I curse the fact that I can never replicate that magic again, and that I will likely be shut out from society going forward if I live on - because I won't be able to keep up and maintain contact with those like-minded.
Technology keeps evolving, and keeps putting up more and more barriers, and I won't be able to afford what I need to overcome those within *this* life.
And without it, well - my real life surroundings are horrific and invoke an immense pressure to ctb.

It's a no-win situation, I guess.
Plug away, and I get a little bit of joy still.
But at the same time, real life moves ahead, rolling towards me with disaster without me paying attention.
Don't use the internet anymore?
Feels like waking up from a fucking matrix pod.
Death follows shortly after.

 

[WAITING TO DIE]

There are definitely downsides such as bullying etc, but I find it a comfort because I'm socially isolated.

 

[flower_g1rl]

im trying to quit the internet. i know, its ironic that im here, just registered. i hope this site wont be addicting like the others. screens caused me many problems in life that i wish to overcome, if i can. none of this is healthy, im tired of my loneliness being exploited, and im tired of taking the bait. i've always felt happier without 8 hours of daily screen time. always. im quitting one by one, reddit, youtube, chat bots, etc. excessive internet use worsened my physical and mental health: made me more depressed, more paranoid. ruined my back and eyesight. i am done with 99% of what screens can offer