A sweeping wave of digital fatigue and internet burnout has set the tone for summer 2025, as online life feels more overwhelming and less enjoyable than ever before, pushing millions worldwide—and in Thailand—to seek solace offline. Recent essays and fresh research highlight not only a cultural turning point but a crucial mental health inflection: the internet as we knew it is over, and going outside is the new imperative for personal and collective well-being (Slate).
Once a space for joy, community, and creativity, the internet has become for many an “onslaught of the most dreadful news imaginable,” intensifying mental exhaustion and anxiety. The shift is so pronounced that experts across the globe—and experiences reflected in the recent piece by Slate—indicate this summer is marked not by digital escapism but by a conscious “log-off” movement. The message is clear: to touch grass is both an online meme and a genuine mental health prescription.
This cultural pivot is deeply relevant for Thai readers. Thailand is among the world’s most active nations online, with over 88% of Thais accessing digital news weekly and social media woven into daily life (Reuters Institute). While digital engagement has delivered countless benefits, it is now linked with surging rates of stress, anxiety, and disconnection—especially among Thai youth.
The seismic change in how people use the internet has roots in recent events and long-term trends. The global pandemic showed both the power and the limitations of digital-first living. While remote work, online activism, and virtual gatherings became central to modern existence, the prolonged reliance on screens also exposed profound drawbacks: limited physical connection, unfiltered distressing news cycles, and social media platforms doubling as “tools of both oppression and resistance.” Now, in 2025, the scales have tipped—the toll of perpetual digital vigilance has come due.
Key facts illuminate the crisis. According to the World Health Organization’s Europe office, “Young people’s mental health is being shaped by digital spaces just as much as by schools or families—but without the same protections” (WHO). Almost half of all teens globally, including Thailand, say social media now has a negative impact on their mental health (Pew Research Center); Thai Gen Z is particularly vulnerable to internet addiction, with an uptick in depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and even disordered eating (The Nation; PubMed Study). Despite the promise of digital connection, disinformation, divisive content, and exposure to traumatic images—like those from global conflicts and natural disasters—perpetuate what some describe as a “constant low hum of panic.”
Direct testimony from leading authorities echoes these concerns. A senior mental health official at the Ministry of Public Health said, “We are seeing more young people come forward with complaints of stress and anxiety directly linked to social media and news overload. Many cite fears and hopelessness from world events as their reason for seeking help.” A digital wellness specialist at a renowned Thai university added, “There’s a measurable link between time online and poorer sleep, moods, and relationships. Especially in 2025, after pandemic isolation, people crave authentic in-person experiences.”
The internet’s burnout crisis is far from limited to the West. In Thailand, local adaptation of international digital mental health programs—such as the WHO’s Step-by-Step initiative—shows an official recognition of the impact of online life on well-being (WHO Thailand Feature). Meanwhile, the rapid growth of mental health app usage among Thais—projected to increase by 23.6% annually through 2030 (Grandview Research)—reflects both the scale of the need and the desire for digital solutions, even as people simultaneously seek respite from their devices.
Yet the answer is not just more tech, but a balanced embrace of the offline world. Recent research points to tangible health benefits from unplugging: improved sleep, reduced anxiety, heightened creativity, and a deeper sense of connection (SummaCare; Grand Rising Behavioral Health). Activities like spending time outdoors, exercising, and engaging in face-to-face social activities consistently boost mental health. In Thailand, this advocacy aligns with traditional practices such as community festivals, Buddhist temple fairs, and family gatherings—spaces known to nurture resilience and joy, now experiencing renewed interest.
Social trends, too, tell the story. Globally, the popularity of “digital detox” retreats and unplugging challenges has surged in 2025. Over 73% of Gen Z worldwide report feeling digitally exhausted and are seeking more “real-world experiences,” choosing parks, markets, and concerts over endless scrolling (Human8). In Thailand, anecdotal evidence and online forums chronicle a migration away from Twitter arguments and TikTok drama, and toward coffee shops, fitness clubs, and street markets.
These shifts have deep cultural resonance. Thais have long valued sanuk—the joy of togetherness and play—as elemental to good health. This principle shows up in bustling urban festivals, traditional games during Songkran and Loy Krathong, and the easy camaraderie of after-work gatherings at local food stalls. In an age of digital saturation, these roots offer both a reminder and a roadmap for sustainable well-being.
But will going outside be enough? Experts warn of real dangers from digital withdrawal, such as missing urgent news or becoming isolated from civic movements that now largely organize online. The ideal, say public health specialists, is mindful engagement with the internet: “Use digital tools as instruments for action and learning, but don’t let them dominate your emotional world.” For Thais, applying this wisdom may mean confining digital news intake to set periods, prioritizing in-person celebrations and outdoor exercise, and using technology to strengthen—not replace—family and community bonds.
Recent national policy moves reflect these concerns. Educational leaders are now calling for more outdoor and experiential learning in Thai schools, citing both the limitations of remote classes and the proven benefits of nature-based activities. Corporate wellness programs are incentivizing employees to unplug, while mental health charities have launched campaigns encouraging Thais to reclaim their weekends from screens and rediscover the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
As the internet’s role transforms—from source of inspiration and escape to urgent, often overwhelming tool for activism and crisis reporting—Thailand stands at a crossroads. Will Thai society double down on digital life, or use this moment to rebalance, seeking harmony between technology and tradition?
Looking ahead, rapid developments in AI and the proliferation of hyper-personalized news feeds may further complicate the struggle for digital well-being. But the current summer’s wave of “touch grass” sentiment points to a durable shift, with more and more Thais—and global citizens—realizing that joy, connection, and sanity may demand stepping away from the screen.
For Thai readers, the call to action is both clear and practical. Start with small, daily changes: set limits on doom-scrolling, plan regular outings to local parks or markets, and invigorate your social life with face-to-face meetings. Celebrate Thailand’s vibrant festivals and revived public spaces. Parents and educators, encourage children to balance digital learning with outdoor play, and share family time untethered to devices. Employers should model healthy boundaries and support staff in seeking authentic rest and reconnection. And for those struggling with digital exhaustion, consider reaching out to mental health professionals via Thailand’s growing network of clinics and apps—in moderation.
Ultimately, the greatest lesson of summer 2025 may be that the internet is a tool, not a destiny. By reclaiming time offline—in the shade of Bangkok’s parks or the cool halls of a temple—Thai readers can rediscover resilience, joy, and genuine community, even as the online world continues its wild churn.
Sources:
- Slate: Summer 2025—The Internet Is Over
- WHO: Online lives, offline consequences in 2025
- Pew Research Center: Teens, Social Media & Mental Health
- The Nation Thailand: Social media addiction and Gen Z
- Grandview Research: Growing Market for Thai Mental Health Apps
- SummaCare: 6 Health Benefits of Unplugging
- Human8: Gen Z, Digital Exhaustion and Real-World Experiences
- Reuters Institute: Thailand Digital News Report 2025