The internet has taken over vast parts of our life. Things like online banking, shopping, booking a flight, a hotel or an event, paying taxes, applying for a job or looking for a new home are now mostly done online.
Schools, colleges and universities use emails, homework platforms with login systems where a mobile phone or at least internet access is required. People pay with their phones in shops, take photos, send films and audios through the internet. They navigate their way through the area with google maps. If you have parked in a wrong place, you pay a penalty through the internet. And then there’s an endless stream of entertainment.
Always more personal data is being stored and connected this way. In many cases, access to certain services or places may be difficult or impossible without internet.
Where is this all heading to? Is the internet a blessing or an attack on humanity? Is it simply technical progress, or is it all steered? Do those behind the agenda want us to forget life without internet?
Let’s take a look back.
It’s the year 1995. If you are 20 years or older, you have grown up without internet. During your time at school and college you received real letters to take home. As a child, you knew the landline as the only phone. Your shopping is still paid with cash, and you go to the bank or to the post office to be served by a real person. Suddenly, you begin to see advertisements with www in them and you hear the word “internet”. You’re not concerned. It’s just this new thing on the computer. But little do you know how it’s going to change the world!
The next generation has grown up with the internet. Today’s pupils and students are dependent on mobile phones and computers. They are already in the habit of using AI. They don’t know a time without the internet. We should never forget what makes us human … Let’s share our memories with them!
New writing challenge
Write down your memories about a time without the internet.
Perhaps your story could contain something like this: “When I was a young child, I used to spend hours playing outdoors…” or “When I grew up, we used to have two privately owned groceries in our village, and my mum used to send me with a few pounds to buy things she needed…” or “I used to meet up with friends by knocking on their door, without having to text first…” or “I used to record my favourite songs on cassettes and play boardgames. I had lots of pen friends. Sometimes it took weeks to receive an answer, and I got really excited when the postman arrived with mail.”
We would like to read your experiences and publish them in a new book! If you find it hard to remember how life was before the internet, this might trigger some memories. 🙂
How to submit
- Length: min. 700 words, max. 3000 words. (Word counter here.)
- The text has to be written by yourself. No AI.
- Before submitting, please read our writing advice.
- Use an editable text file (e.g. Doc or Open Office), or send your essay in the email body.
- Include your name (or pseudonym) and a title in your essay.
- Send your submission by 16 October 2026
- Use our email address to send us your essay. It is the same email address we use in our weekly newsletter. If you haven’t yet signed-up to the newsletter, subscribe here for free.
- If accepted, your essay will be published in a book entitled We Shall Never Forget – Life Before the Internet.
- View previously published books here.
- Share this post with friends and family.
- Any questions? Let us know in your email!
- Would you like to send your essay by post? Read here.