Gen Z's Digital Awakening: A Conversation with Ria Chopra
When French President Emmanuel Macron visited New Delhi recently, he advocated for a global ban on social media for users under 15, sparking a conversation that India has yet to fully engage in internally. However, Ria Chopra, a 26-year-old Gen Z internet culture expert, has been delving deep into this very topic. Having created her Instagram account at age 14, Chopra has spent years critically analyzing the internet's profound effects on her generation. Her debut book, 'Never Logged Out', offers a timely exploration of this impact, avoiding moral panic and nostalgia, as Indian states consider age-based social media restrictions and Meta faces legal challenges over teen addiction.
The Genesis of 'Never Logged Out'
In an interview with Sharmila Ganesan Ram, described as an "elderly millennial," Chopra, known online as @riachops, shared insights into her motivation. She began writing about India's youth and internet culture while working at an independent media house, noticing a lack of local coverage. "Internet culture is still not a standalone beat at many Indian publications," she noted, leading to a reliance on Western narratives rather than analyzing India's unique digital existence. Chopra aimed to fill this gap with empathetic writing, which resonated with her peers. Over time, she compiled ideas that demanded more depth, resulting in her book proposal. She emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives, citing numerous sources in her work to reflect varied internet experiences. Additionally, she addressed the challenge of longevity in a fast-changing digital landscape, trusting her selection of examples to remain relevant.
Internet Years and Gen Z Identity
Chopra introduced the concept of "internet years," arguing that time spent online should be considered a demographic marker, as it influences how individuals process the world. She explained that physical age alone is insufficient; access timing shapes internet age, affecting information access and priorities. For instance, children in different regions may share a birthday but have vastly different online experiences. Conversely, people of different physical ages who gained internet access simultaneously share the same internet years, highlighting the need to account for both metrics to understand the internet's impact fully.
Defining Gen Z in India is complex, with 30% of the population born between 1997 and 2012. Chopra pointed out the lack of an international definition, noting that Western research often overlooks India's context, where widespread internet access began with Jio in 2016. She stressed that defining Indian Gen Z requires considering internet access timing alongside chronological age, as generational studies from abroad may not apply.
Permacrisis and Attention Depreciation
Chopra used the term "permacrisis" to describe Gen Z's emotional climate, characterized by perpetual stress from global crises like climate change, geopolitical instability, and economic challenges. This state has become a default mode for many young people. Regarding screen time and cognitive decline, she acknowledged justified concerns, distinguishing between productive use, such as reading articles, and passive consumption, like watching short-form reels. Social media design, with notifications and multitasking prompts, leads to "attention depreciation," where attention's value diminishes in the attention economy.
Regulation and Digital Trends
On age-based social media restrictions, as seen in Australia and France, Chopra expressed hesitation toward blanket rules, viewing them as potential censorship that could harm vulnerable youth, such as queer individuals seeking online communities. Instead, she advocated for soft regulation combined with stronger advisories, parental sensitization, and improved offline infrastructure. She also discussed Gen Z's shift toward analog activities, like silent reading clubs, seeing it as both a fad and a lasting phenomenon. While consumerist trends may fade, the pursuit of offline communities and hobbies reflects a genuine reckoning with digital life.
Challenges of Digital Fame and Social Media
The conversation turned to the pressures of digital fame, especially for women online. Chopra highlighted how women face vilification, abuse, and unattainable standards, with non-cisgender individuals experiencing even worse discrimination. She called for stricter rules on payments and abuse reporting, alongside community support. When asked if social media and tech are liberating, she argued that offline inequalities persist online, with algorithms reinforcing hierarchies. While individuals may find liberation, structural empowerment is limited without societal reform.
Political Engagement and Collective Action
Comparing Indian Gen Z's political engagement to peers in Nepal and Bangladesh, Chopra rejected monolith views, noting diversity in awareness and activism. She cited examples like protests over Delhi's air pollution but acknowledged state suppression of dissent. Despite algorithmic silos, she expressed hope for collective action, pointing to online mobilization for ground movements, particularly on issues like climate change.
Reclaiming Agency and Redefining Intelligence
To reclaim agency in a doom-scrolling ecosystem, Chopra emphasized understanding the internet's effects, seeking offline communities, and creating hopeful online spaces. She redefined intelligence in the digital age, shifting from recall to response—knowing how to use knowledge effectively. This discussion gains relevance with AI's rise, challenging traditional conceptions of intelligence.
Final Thoughts
Chopra concluded by calling to retire the misconception of Gen Z as a monolith, urging nuanced conversations about its diversity. She expressed a desire for the return of "hopecore," a trend fostering optimism in challenging times. Through 'Never Logged Out', she invites readers to engage in India's much-needed internet reckoning, blending personal insight with broader societal analysis.
