Teen Slang · Online & texting

What does “Chronically online” mean?

So immersed in the internet that it warps your sense of the real world. 'That take is so chronically online.'

Where “Chronically online” comes from

Coined on Twitter in the early 2020s to mock out-of-touch internet takes.

Why teens actually say it

Calls out someone whose worldview is distorted by being terminally on social media.

What it means for you as a parent

A useful self-aware concept. Could be an opening to talk about balance and touching grass.

How it’s used

  • “Only someone chronically online would say that.” Calling out an internet-warped take. Mildly critical.
  • “I’ve been so chronically online this summer, I need to touch grass.” Self-aware about too much screen time. Joking but real.

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