What Does ‘Chronically Online’ Mean?
Chronically online (also known as terminally or extremely online) refers to a digital-world addict who spends most of their time on the internet. The term was coined in 2014 but gained popularity after the global success of social media.
The opposite of being extremely online is being chronically outside. This phrase signifies an extroverted normie who disregards interaction with the online world and spends most of their time participating in real-life activities.
Signs You’re Chronically Online
You’re likely a chronically online person if your screen time is more than four hours per day outside of work periods. Other subtle signs of being extremely online include lacking real-life social interactions, being overly influenced by online debates, and dissociation.
- Your daily screen time is +4 hours. (Outside work hours.)
- You’re addicted to your phone.
- Your main news sources are online outlets.
- You prefer online interactions over IRL communication.
- You’re experiencing social anxiety.
- Online debates affect you more than others.
- You can’t relate to people who don’t use the Internet.
- You struggle with expressing your online persona outside the digital world.
How to Test If You’re Chronically Online
First, go to your phone settings and check your screen time. Next, see which apps you’re using most frequently. If your screen time is above average, and your most-used applications are social media, you’re probably a chronically online person.
Another way to test if you’re a network citizen is by taking the Chronically Online Quiz on this page. We’ve put together a list of psychosocial questions that reveal how addicted you are to the internet.
The Effects of Being Terminally Online
While we all live in a global village that’s heavily reliant on technology, the overuse of digital outlets can lead to negative side effects such as mental illnesses, social isolation, and productivity depletion.
Perhaps the most negative effect of being chronically online is dissociation. People who perceive reality through virtual means and interactions will likely lose touch with the outside world and lack the necessary real-life experiences to navigate their lives.
Irregulated and unsupervised use of social media can also lead to cyberbullying, which is currently one of the main struggles of Gen Z and Millennials.
What Are You If You’re Not Chronically Online?
Not everyone who likes the internet is chronically online. You have to meet certain criteria and be an extreme user to earn that title. But luckily, online communities have already come up with other terms for different types of internet users.
· Netizen
A portmanteau of “Network” and “Citizen,” Netizen describes a pro-internet person. Despite their online presence, Netizens are aware of the possible harms of being chronically online. That’s why they regulate their screen time and encourage a healthier way of using the internet without boycotting it.
· Normie
Normie, in this sense, refers to a person with a trivial online presence. Such an individual is not overly affected by online debates or news and is mostly concerned with pop culture aspects of the internet. (To many, normies are just casual internet users.)
· Chronically Outside
The term chronically outside signifies an anti-internet personality with no online presence. When you’re chronically outside, your bond with life is solely through real-life interactions and activities, and you disregard the digital world for it lacks any tangible values.
Is It Bad to Be Chronically Online?
In a sense, anything could be bad at a “chronic” level. Spending too much time on the internet and replacing digital experiences with first-hand, real-life happenings could cause more harm than good. While technology as a tool benefits you, it can become problematic when it starts to dominate your life.
According to a study by the Pew Research Center, a whopping 31% of U.S. adults are almost constantly online! 🤯 So, if you feel like you’re always scrolling through feeds and websites, you’re definitely not alone. The Internet’s become such a big part of our day-to-day that it’s easy to spend more time online than off. So let’s embrace this tech-obsessed era we’re living in, huh?
See If the Internet Is Overtaking Your Life
The following psychosocial questions determine if and how badly you are chronically online. We’ve made sure to keep the test relevant, realistic, and reliable to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis.
Let’s figure out how addicted you are to the digital world. 👀 🤳🏻
