Yes, I agree with the article. I think the internet was a net negative on society even if there are some benefits to specific individuals, and often those individuals are the ones with the most say. But I do disagree with this final statement in the article:

> So when it comes to the internet, if switching off entirely isn’t possible any more, then surely the words of MGMT can be useful: control yourself, take only what you need from it.

One can't simply do that. The problem is the internet has replaced a lot of things that were more interesting and genuine in the past. Turning off the internet from time to time and controlling yourself does not allow you to live in a pre-internet world.

Moreover, the internet is like refined sugar: tastes good but is inherently not so great for us. It is the refined sugar of the mind by its nature and its speed and cannot be reformed. The only solution probably is to find a sufficient mass of people who feel the same and go against that.

Personally, I lived in a pre-internet world and I thought overall, it was better. Now that the internet is required for some parts of life (applying for a job for example, making a living), we have to use it but that doesn't mean it is a good thing for humanity in general.

Anemoia

From the article:

     A recent survey suggests I’m not alone – that almost half
     of young people would prefer a world without the internet.

A recent survey suggests contains a link but it's not a link to the study. It's a link to an article about the study. And that article likewise doesn't link to the study.

Study w/ report: https://www.bsigroup.com/siteassets/pdf/en/insights-and-medi...

The study org also released a PR about the study. IMO, the PR is comfortable with conclusions (ex:addiction) that overreach the study data: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/media-cent...