The internet has changed the world in ways no one could have imagined, making life easier, faster, and more connected.
Unfortunately, if we’re being honest, it’s also ruined quite a few things. From simple pleasures we took for granted to entire industries that have struggled to keep up, the online world hasn’t just improved life — it’s completely transformed it, and not always for the better. While there are more positives than negatives, it’s still a shame that these things don’t exist anymore because of the world wide web.
1. The excitement of physical mail
Once upon a time, getting mail was exciting. Letters from friends, handwritten notes, birthday cards — opening the post actually felt personal. Now, it’s 99% junk mail, bills, and delivery notifications. Email and instant messaging have made communication faster, but they’ve also made handwritten letters nearly extinct. People barely bother with cards anymore because a quick “HBD” in the group chat seems to do the job. The anticipation of waiting for something in the post has been replaced by frustration over spam and lost packages.
2. The mystery of not knowing things
There was a time when arguments about random facts could go on for hours, and no one could settle them unless they owned an encyclopaedia. Now, Google has killed every debate before it even starts. Got a question? The answer is a few seconds away. Sure, it’s convenient, but it’s also taken away the joy of speculation. People don’t make wild guesses anymore, they just whip out their phone and check. The internet has made us smarter, but it’s also made conversations a lot less interesting.
3. Shopping without endless reviews and comparisons
Before the internet, shopping meant walking into a store, choosing something that looked good, and buying it. Now, it’s a research project. You can’t just pick a toaster; you have to read a dozen reviews, compare brands, check YouTube demos, and scroll through angry customer complaints before making a decision because you don’t know which reviews are legit and which are sponsored by the companies and given by influencers. And even then, there’s always the fear that you could have found a better deal somewhere else. Instead of making shopping easier, the internet has made it an exhausting exercise in overthinking.
4. The excitement of new music and films
Back in the day, getting your hands on a new album or waiting for a film to come out on DVD was a big deal. Now, everything is available pretty much instantly. Streaming services drop entire seasons at once, and music leaks weeks before it’s officially released. While accessibility is great, the excitement of waiting for something to be released has vanished. There’s no build-up, no anticipation — just an endless stream of content that makes everything feel disposable.
5. The ability to be unreachable
Before the internet, if you weren’t home, you simply weren’t available. No one expected you to be on call 24/7. Now, if you don’t reply to a message within an hour, people assume you’re ignoring them. Smartphones and social media mean we’re always connected, which has blurred the lines between personal time and availability. There’s no real “off” button anymore… unless you’re brave enough to actually switch off notifications and risk looking rude.
6. Privacy, or at least what’s left of it
At this point, does privacy even exist? Between social media, targeted ads, and companies tracking every click, your online activity is basically public property. Even if you’re careful, data leaks and surveillance mean that almost nothing is truly private. Once, people could go about their day without worrying about their personal information being collected, stored, and sold. Now, even something as simple as searching for a product online guarantees you’ll be stalked by ads for it for weeks.
7. Flirting without overthinking it
Before the internet, flirting was straightforward. You liked someone, you made eye contact, maybe you passed them a note or struck up a conversation. Now? You have to analyse their texting style, decode emoji meanings, and figure out if “haha” means they’re into you or just being polite. Social media stalking and dating apps have made everything more complicated. People overthink their messages, worry about double-texting, and spend more time crafting the perfect response than actually talking to each other in real life.
8. Watching TV without spoilers
There was a time when you could watch your favourite show without worrying that someone online would ruin the ending before you even had a chance to press play. Now, avoiding spoilers is a full-time job. The moment a new episode airs, social media is flooded with memes, recaps, and plot twists. If you don’t watch something immediately, you either have to go on a full internet blackout or accept that you’re going to find out what happens whether you like it or not.
9. Attention spans — what were we talking about again?
Source: Unsplash Thanks to the internet, people’s ability to focus has gone out the window. With endless notifications, short-form content, and the constant urge to check social media, sitting down and focusing on one thing for more than a few minutes feels impossible. Reading a book, watching a full film without looking at your phone, or even just having a conversation without getting distracted? It’s getting harder and harder. The internet has trained our brains to crave constant stimulation, and deep focus is now a rare skill.
10. The fun of getting lost
Once upon a time, getting lost was an adventure. You had to read maps, stop and ask for directions, or just wander around until you figured things out. Now, with Google Maps in everyone’s pocket, the thrill of getting lost is gone. Sure, it’s more convenient, but there was something exciting about exploring a new place without a GPS telling you exactly where to go. The internet has made navigation easier, but it’s also taken away the joy of accidental discoveries.
11. Having original opinions
The internet is full of opinions, and it’s hard not to be influenced by them. Before, people formed their own views based on personal experiences. Now, social media shapes how people think before they’ve even had a chance to make up their own minds. Whether it’s politics, film reviews, or even what food trends are cool, so many opinions are just echoes of what’s trending. The pressure to agree with the majority makes independent thinking a lot harder.
12. Customer service that actually works
Need help with an issue? Good luck talking to an actual person. The internet has turned customer service into a frustrating maze of automated responses, chatbots, and unhelpful FAQ pages. Gone are the days when you could just call a company and speak to a human. Now, it’s all about sending emails that never get answered, being put on hold for hours, or arguing with a robot that insists your problem doesn’t exist.
13. Childhood without screens
Kids used to run around outside, build forts, and play games that didn’t involve staring at a screen. Now, tablets and smartphones have replaced real-world play, and childhood is more digital than ever. While technology has benefits, many kids now spend more time watching YouTube or scrolling TikTok than playing outside. The internet has given them endless entertainment, but it’s also taken away a lot of the creativity and social skills that come from unplugged play.
14. The excitement of discovering new places
Travelling somewhere new used to feel like stepping into the unknown. Now, you can Google every street, restaurant, and landmark before you even arrive. While it’s helpful for planning, it also takes away the element of surprise. Instead of wandering into a random café or stumbling across a hidden gem, most people now rely on online reviews to decide where to go. The internet has made travel easier, but it’s also made it more predictable.
