Having to ask yourself if you’re “chronically online” is as Gen Z as it gets. The melting pot of media our generation is forced into makes it easy to lose focus and become wrapped up in all the fuss and feathers of it.
What does it mean?
According to Cnet, “Chronically Online” describes those who “spend so much time online it skews their sense of reality and hinders their ability to effectively communicate about topics like politics and social justice because they lack real world experience.” It can also mean that online trends, phrases and expressions become a person’s entire personality.
Where did it come from?
The term “chronically online” has been used repeatedly on TikTok. The phrase usually appears when someone makes a video addressing a certain opinion or concern that is “out of touch” or unnecessary. This is when the user is deemed to be “chronically online.” Now, this does not apply to serious issues that need to be addressed, but more in the sense of creating problems when there isn’t one. This TikTok explains what the phrase means best.
Why are people “chronically online?”
It’s safe to say the increase in use as well as dependence on social media has grown exponentially. The pandemic is a contributing factor in this. Due to the lack of in-person social interactions during the pandemic, we instead relied on social media to foster that human interaction.
With that being said, TikTok became especially popular around this time. Since then, it has turned into something users scroll on for hours and hours. Thus, plays a role as to why people have become “chronically online” and spend so much time criticizing issues that don’t need to be so blown out of proportion.

Why is this an issue?
One example that encapsulates the whole idea of what it means to be “chronically online” was said perfectly by Vox.com. This pertains to a woman posting a tweet that wrote: “My husband and I wake up every morning and bring our coffee out to our garden and sit and talk for hours, every morning. It never gets old, and we never run out of things to talk to. Love him so much.” The internet did not like this one. Replies like, “Who has time to sit and talk for hours every day? Must be nice,” “I wake up at 6 a.m., shower and go to work for a shift that is a minimum of 10 hours long. This is an unattainable goal for most people” and “You haven’t been married long have you.”
Although many were quick to judge and say senseless things about someone they don’t know, others were able to recognize that the comments were uncalled for. Overall, it all comes down to a lack of perception. When a person spends too much time on an app that has no true value compared to real life experiences it can mess with people’s awareness.
So, are you chronically online? Let us know what you think by tweeting us @VALLEYmag!
Related

I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing? I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest website and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My blog site is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Appreciate it!
Thank you, I have just been looking for information about this subject for a while and yours is the best I have discovered till now. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you positive about the source?
I simply couldn’t depart your website before suggesting that I actually loved the usual info an individual provide for your guests? Is going to be again ceaselessly in order to check out new posts
This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Thanks a lot!
I used to be able to find good information from your articles.
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely feel this amazing site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the information!
Generally I do not learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice post.
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice at the same time as you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered brilliant clear concept