Google launched 28 years ago, and the iPhone is turning 20 next year. For anyone under 25, a world without the internet isn't just hard to picture… it's basically fiction. But there was a time when people lived, worked and entertained themselves without Netflix, Google and a smartphone in every pocket. And for a lot of us, that time doesn't feel as distant as the numbers suggest.
Technology has undoubtedly moved things forward. But with the rise of dumb phones and digital detoxes, more people are choosing to step back from it - because life before the internet looked a lot like what most of us are chasing now.
Whether you're a Gen Z'er curious about the "old days" or someone looking to reminisce, here's a look back at what life was like before the internet.
What was life like before social media?
With over 5 billion people on social media, it's hard to imagine how we lived before Facebook launched in 2004 and rewired how we think about connection and comparison. Here's what was different.
- There was a lot less FOMO. Before feeds existed, people simply didn't know what everyone else was up to. You couldn't compare your Tuesday to someone else's curated highlight reel, because there was no reel to look at.
- Online trolls weren't a thing. There was no wall or profile to hide behind. Trolling would have to happen face to face, which made it considerably rarer.
- You had a lot more time. People now spend an average of six hours a day on screens, with mindless scrolling eating into most of it. Without social media, that time went to being outdoors, socialising, or living with no distraction.
- There was no urge to capture everything. With no social media to post to, you went to gigs to actually be there. You watched, you listened, you remembered. The experience wasn’t able to be documented extensively, so you took one snap and then went back to experiencing it.
- Influencers didn't exist. Influential people were celebrities or people you actually knew. There were no #ads, no algorithm-optimised content, no one telling you what to buy because they'd been paid to.
- You caught up with people in person. To connect with someone, you met up with them or called them on a landline. A like on Instagram wasn't on the table.
- There were fewer scams. Banking was all done in the bank, so you online banking scams were less common.
- You borrowed things from your neighbours. Needed sugar, an egg, a screwdriver? You knocked next door and asked.
We use technology and the internet for a lot more than just social media. So what did people do before the internet to work, learn and travel?
How did people socialise and communicate before the internet?
Social media, FaceTime and mobile phones make communicating effortless. But what did people do pre-technology?
- People used to write letters Before emails and instant messaging, people wrote letters by hand to people who lived further afield. Waiting for a reply could take days or even weeks. Pen pals were common (especially ones you met on holiday or through school), and receiving a letter in the mail was a special occasion.
- People used to call landline phones (AKA “house-phone”) Most households had one phone, usually in the kitchen or hallway, and if someone wasn't in when you called, that was that. The Yellow Pages was a serious household object which was a huge book of household and business numbers. Long-distance calls were expensive, so people used them sparingly.
- People used to knock on doors and meet face-to-face If you wanted to see a friend, you showed up. Meeting people in person was the norm - parks, cafes, each other's homes. You made a plan and you stuck to it.
- People used to use pay phones If you were out and needed to make a call, you’d use a pay-phone on the street. These are still dotted around in some towns and cities, mostly unused or converted into book exchanges.
- People memorised phone numbers. Everyone knew their close friends' and family's numbers off by heart. You house number was etched into your brain and you had an address book for all the other numbers.
How did people entertain themselves before the internet?
With no Netflix or on-demand streaming, you couldn't just watch whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted.
- People watched live TV and radio Without streaming services, families watched TV together, often planning their evenings around their favourite shows that aired at a particular time. Saturday morning cartoons and prime-time TV were major events. Radio, cassettes or CD’s were also a key source of entertainment and news, especially during long car rides.
- People read books and newspapers Books, newspapers, and magazines were primary sources of information and entertainment. You didn’t get news alerts on your phone so you’d have to wait until the next day. Libraries were genuinely used, both for information and for borrowing books. They were free, and they were busy.
- People spent more time outdoors Screens bring entertainment indoors. Before the internet, people (especially children) spent considerably more time outside. Cycling, playing in the street, and kicking around in the garden were default activities, not scheduled ones.
- People went to the cinema or watched VHS/DVDs There were no movies online. You either went to the cinema (finding the showing times in the newspaper) or waited for the film to come out on DVD or VHS. A visit to Blockbuster was a weekend treat and you’d rent a movie for a few days and then return it.
- People played board games and card games This wasn't a wholesome niche activity, it was just what people did. Games required multiple players, which meant they were inherently social.
How did people shop before the internet?
Before the internet, you couldn't find something online and get it delivered the next day.
- People visited physical stores. Shopping meant leaving the house. People made a day of going into town - browsing, window shopping, making a day of it. There were no online reviews, no home delivery, no returns portal. There was no online supermarkets either so doing a ‘big shop’ was a weekly occurence.
- People shopped using catalogues. For those who preferred shopping from home, catalogues like Argos were popular. You browsed, filled out an order form, and waited. The Argos pencil and stock checker was an icon.
- People went to actual banks. Banking required a trip to the branch and cash was the primary way to pay. Cheques were written by hand and cashed in and ATMs were still relatively new. Transactions had friction as there was no ApplePay or contactless, so that friction meant most decisions had more weight to them.
How did people work and learn before Google?
Google launched in 1998, so before that, you couldn't just google something. You had to work for the answer.
- People looked things up in encyclopaedias and books. Research for school or work was done using physical books. Encyclopedias and dictionaries were a valuable resource, and libraries were essential for accessing information. Instead of googling for resources or using online learning platforms, people would learn from others or books.
- People used typewriters and fax machines Before computers, typewriters were standard for writing documents. Fax machines were used to send important papers ‘quickly’ but these had to be sent to another fax machine.
- People only worked in the office Remote working or ‘WFH’ wasn’t a thing. Everyone worked in the office or from a physical building. Business communication relied heavily on in-person meetings and phone calls. Travel for business purposes was more common, as virtual meetings were not an option.
- Documents were all on paper You couldn’t write an email or sign documents online. You had physical documents for everything.
How did people travel before the internet?
People still went on holiday and found addresses before Google Maps or Sky Scanner. You just got a little more lost and planned more time in for journeys.
- People used physical maps and atlases. Road trips required detailed planning with paper maps and atlases. Asking for directions was common, and getting lost meant pulling over to consult a map or ask a passerby.
- People printed their directions before leaving the house. There was no Google Maps so you'd look up the route, print the step-by-step instructions, and then try to read them while driving.
- People used travel agencies or catalogues. There was no Airbnb or SkyScanner. Booking a holiday often involved visiting a travel agency where travel agents helped plan itineraries, book flights, and arrange accommodation for you. You’d also use catalogues or brochures instead of online listings.
- People used TeleText on their TVs Some people browsed holiday deals via Teletext before calling a number to book over the phone.
Life before the internet was more difficult in some ways. You weren’t easily reachable, you’d often get lost and travel wasn’t as easy. But it was filled with rich, engaging, and meaningful activities that involved more IRL connection and nature. While technology has brought many conveniences, there's a certain charm in remembering (and experiencing) the ways people connected, entertained themselves, and navigated the world without digital assistance.