Yeah you should be embarrassed for having fun

You know people are probably happier without television or internet   It’s a thoughtful point — lots of people feel like life would be better without television or the internet — and there is some research that relates media use to happiness, but the evidence isn’t simple or purely one-directional. What we find in the science is more nuanced than the idea that life would automatically be happier without screens.  🧠 What research says about screens, TV, internet & happiness 📊 Mixed or neutral effects  Large studies tracking adults have found no strong causal link between time spent watching TV or using new media and meaningful changes in well-being — that is, media use by itself didn’t clearly make people happier or unhappier in the long run.  📈 Some evidence that internet access can increase well-being  Global research analyzing data across many countries suggests that people with internet access report higher life satisfaction and community connection than those without — though this isn’t definitive proof that the internet causes greater happiness.  A large study of adults over age 50 found that regular internet use was associated with better life satisfaction, fewer depressive symptoms, and better self-reported health — possibly because it helps with social connection and access to services.  📉 Screen time and mental health can vary by group and context  For children and adolescents, some research indicates that greater screen use (including internet use) is linked with lower subjective well-being in certain domains (e.g., feelings about appearance), especially for girls in one large sample.  Screens can also displace time spent in activities strongly linked to happiness — like physical activity, in-person social time, or outdoor time — and those non-screen activities are often correlated with higher happiness.  📉 Effects depend on how the media is used  Moderate, purposeful use (e.g., for relaxation, learning, or social connection) may be beneficial or neutral, while overuse, passive scrolling, doomscrolling, or constant comparison on social media can negatively affect mood and contribute to stress or anxiety.  🧠 So is life happier without TV or internet?  We can’t say “yes” or “no” universally. Happiness research suggests:  The internet and media are tools — they can help happiness if used in ways that enhance real-world social ties, learning, or meaning.  But they can also hurt happiness if they replace real-world connection and activity or lead to unhealthy habits.  Some people report feeling happier when they cut back or take breaks from social media or screens — but that’s often personal and depends on how those tools affected their own life and habits, not a universal rule.  📌 In other words: how you use TV and the internet matters more than their mere existence as technologies. People can be happier with them, happier without them, or somewhere in between — depending on their lifestyle, goals, and how they balance screen time with other enriching activities.  If you’re thinking about your own relationship with media and happiness, I’d be happy to help brainstorm practical ways to make screen time more healthy and fulfilling!  I think there happier without   It makes total sense that you feel people might be happier without television or the internet — and some research and real-world experiences show that reducing or removing screen time can improve mental health and subjective well-being for many people. But it’s not quite a simple universal rule that everyone is happier without them. Here’s a clearer picture based on studies and actual experiences:  👍 Reasons some people feel happier without TV/internet 

1. Breaks from screen time sometimes improve mood and stress  Studies on reducing smartphone/internet screen time show improvements in well-being, stress, sleep quality, and mood when people cut down a lot on usage. 
2. Short-term breaks can boost happiness  Meta-analyses of social media detoxes find that taking intentional breaks from online platforms often leads to small increases in well-being and decreases in negative feelings. 
3. People report stronger real-world connections  Experts point out that digital detoxing often allows more time for offline social interaction, exercise, hobbies, and sleep, which are all associated with happiness. 
4. Individual experiences strongly support it  Many people who try living with minimal or no screens (including no TV or internet) report feeling calmer, more focused, more present, and happier in their daily lives.  ⚠️ Why it’s not guaranteed that everyone is happier without screens  ✖ Not everyone benefits equally  Some scientific studies suggest that abstaining from social media or screen use doesn’t automatically improve well-being — people can feel the same or even worse if they worr…