Does anyone remember what life was like before social media and the internet? No, seriously. Try to get back the feeling of it. It’s difficult, isn’t it?

It’s so deep-rooted in all of our lives now that it’s become so normal for so long. From 2010 till now, as a race, we have had the most rapid growth in civilisation and technology. Everything can be done on our devices, groceries can be delivered by Uber now; everything is online shopping instead of going into the store. I think most people have forgotten what it’s like to go to the shopping mall (watch Canadian cartoon 6teen to remember (great show)).  

And now when you’re exploring the sea of the World Wide Web you are bound to see something that is sexual or sexually related. It’s very hard to avoid, unless you just open the Google tab, exit, shut down, and throw your device out the window with all your other devices. But that’s not very practical. 

We live in a world now where we’re bombarded with advertisements, stimulation and sexualization. It’s become as normal as breathing and destroying all our brains, particularly young men’s mental health. Young men are being exposed and never before easily accessible to a dangerous amount of sexual content. Especially in an advertisement. I’m all for body positivity, but how far is too far? 

Young men are seeing more women on the screen than they would have seen in their entire lives if the internet didn’t exist. You can see thousands of women a day with the simple click of a button hiding in your room with the lights off. And they’re not just seeing women; they’re seeing them only in a sexual and objectifying light. What impression is that leaving? This is by no means women’s fault. It’s ours, as men. We’re allowing this to happen. And these young impressionable men are only seeing women this way, as an object, instead of the human being that they are. Can you blame them? They think that this is right, they think they are correct in their thinking and viewpoints. And it’s not. It’s dangerous and it’s getting worse.

No wonder the modern dating scene is all screwed up. It’s blinding everyone. 

The internet is full of liars cheats and charlatans who want only one thing. Your attention. They’re all fighting for it. 

According to research, our attention span decreased in just 15 years. In 2000, it was 12 seconds. Then, in 2015, it shrunk significantly to 8.25 seconds. Seems like a small margin of change, but trust me, I’m not lying, it’s not!

With the rise of Tik Tok, dating apps and p*rn dominating the internet, no wonder people can’t concentrate for long and their minds have gone to mush and depression and anxiety is higher than it’s ever been. I’ve been affected too, I sometimes can’t concentrate for longer.

I was at a Burger restaurant on my own, a couple sat at the table next to me, ordered and just went on their phones and scrolled on Tik Tok. Not one of them spoke to each other or tried to start a conversation. I even put a timer on my phone. I finished my meal before I got the chance to see if they would have started speaking to each other. This is the world we live in. And the Tik Tok I saw on the guys' phone was mostly provocative dancing of other girls. With his girlfriend right there in front of him.

I know we can do something about this, take back our time and attention from these stimulants that only give us momentary pleasure.

Are you going to let social media and over-sexualization of nearly everything run your life? Or are you going to fight and protect what’s yours? Your mental health, time and attention.

Until next time,

Brody