The internet is becoming more stressful and unlikeable — with AI slop and data leaks to blame

A recent survey by Incogni has revealed that internet users are increasingly becoming frustrated and anxious while using the web. The primary reasons cited for this stress are AI-generated content, commonly known as 'AI slop,' and data leaks. Many individuals are experiencing anxiety over the potential exposure of their personal data, with 63% of those surveyed stating that this fear causes them anxiety when using the internet.

The survey, which polled 1,000 internet users, found that 56% of Gen X and 55% of Millennials believed their data would be breached or exposed at some point. This belief in inevitable data exposure has become so normalized that only 11% of respondents thought there was a low likelihood of their data being breached.

Another significant source of stress is the growing prevalence of AI-generated content on social media platforms. The bots, or AI creators, often share AI-generated content or scrape content from the web and repost it, often leading to a loss of trust in the authenticity of online information. Almost half of the respondents (48%) admitted they are now less sure of what is real on the internet, with 27% saying this made them spend less time online, feeling fatigued or fatigued by AI-generated content.

The survey also revealed that 58% of respondents deleted a social media account or messaging app due to stress, anxiety, or privacy concerns. While some respondents (12%) found AI-generated content to make information more accessible and creative possibilities exciting, the majority of respondents (48%) expressed a desire for less AI-generated content, citing it as a reason for their decreased use of the internet.

The ultimate effect of these factors is a growing trend of internet users seeking to reduce their online presence. Moreover, when asked if they would pay for an internet where tracking and algorithms did not exist, 30% of respondents indicated they would, although this preference was significantly influenced by income levels.