On Digital Solipsism

This week, I’ve decided to skip the scientific research and write in the most immediate form possible. That’s not because of a lack of literature on technological or digital solipsism. Instead, I wanted to write a personal note on how I think about this topic in the summer of 2026.

Teachers, Leave Those Kids Alone

This week, I encountered a school teacher in her early thirties who elaborated on why studying psychology is so vital when pursuing a degree in pedagogy. Since I’ve been a tutor for many years, let me give you my unsolicited answer to this question:

Teachers-to-be should study psychology for roughly the same reason any manager should. It’s a systemic measure that aims to strengthen one’s perception of group dynamics and foster the ability to proactively prevent or de-escalate conflicts.

Even the most superficial knowledge of psychology can have a decisive impact on the safety and perceived comfort of students. That’s why it makes sense to teach it to future educators. Teachers can also leverage psychology to assess which teaching strategies might work best given a specific group and its individuals.

To my concern and disappointment, however, the teacher went on to say:

Even though there are school psychologists on staff, teachers are the ones students turn to most often for psychological support. Very often, we are the psychologists to them.

Image source: Picryl

Taking this more broadly, this is just one instance of overestimating oneself. Surrounded by powerful technology—especially tools that mediate cheap but harmful validation—we increasingly tend to think we are capable of anything and that we don’t need help from others because we are almighty.

Has Someone Said ‘Translation’? Say No More!

I’ll admit straight away that I’ve been swayed by this way of thinking, too. I was ignorant of my own limitations and overvalued my skills. When I was 17, my primary passion was English and language learning in general. Once I felt I had “mastered English,” I thought the world was my oyster. After all, one year later, I earned the C1 Cambridge language qualification, proving to myself just how awesome I was.

As vain and broke as I was at 17, I decided to take up a side hustle translating official UK government documents for a Czech trucker. I also wrote letters in English to UK authorities on his behalf. Believe it or not, I kept getting away with it and made some money along the way that summer.

That’s why I sympathize with the teacher: I’ve been there, too. It must be immensely empowering to learn that your students trust you, and I hope she feels that way for the rest of her career. You start realizing that you can offer your students all kinds of advice. That does not mean giving unsolicited advice is always a good idea, though.

When someone acts as a self-proclaimed psychologist, a lot of damage can be done through random acts of goodwill. I managed to get away with my translation job without causing harm, but it’s questionable whether the same applies to a teacher misapplying psychological knowledge.

Individualism isn’t new, relatively speaking, but it is being amplified by technological advances. Digital solipsism is the belief that the digital world (or one’s perception of it) is more real, stimulating, and enjoyable than the offline world. It’s also a mindset whose behavioral patterns easily translate outside the screen. As one might expect, digital solipsism extends to various interpersonal relationships outside of education.

Modern parenthood is a prime example. If a Czech kid is fortunate enough that their parents haven’t filed for divorce and neither is an alcoholic, the child is still likely destined to grow up in a nuclear family led by overburdened parents who hold a demigod complex of “raising our children better than our ill-formed parents raised us.”

Note that I am intentionally omitting the stereotypical and lazy jab that “parents don’t need anyone to raise their kids except a tablet or phone.” That doesn’t cut to the core of the problem. Children and parents can leverage technology to their benefit, even if it comes with challenges we still barely know how to address.

Instead, I worry about the intensifying presence of self-centeredness and the erosion of tolerance toward difference. Solipsism is reinforced by an endless stream of digital stimuli:

• A close Instagram friend shared a reel with me. I know my friends well because we text regularly, so whatever is in that reel must be true.
• My boyfriend keeps leaving dirty plates on the table instead of putting them in the dishwasher. I asked around on a discussion forum for the right solution and confirmation that I’m right. Having a direct conversation with him is pointless, he won’t listen. The internet confirmed my boyfriend is an idiot. So, I chewed him out this evening and I’ll report back tomorrow.
• My AI chatbot finally gave me permission to have a cheat day once a week. I’m so grateful for her; she’s always so caring and attentive, unlike real girls. Are real people even worth it if they don’t care the way my eFiona 2.0, Disney Edition does?
• Nobody with refined taste listens to the Bee Gees. I know this because I haven’t listed the Bee Gees on any of my curated Spotify playlists. Also, no streaming algorithm has recommended them to any of my friends and one of them has a doctorate in nuclear physics. You’re just a weirdo who likes looking at guys in tight pants.
• An influencer published a brand deal promoting urban running shoes. Of course, I’m immune to this marketing because I saw through it immediately. Whenever I decide to buy these shoes, it’s because they’re great and fit perfectly, not because I’m a sheep.
• An objective journalist wrote this objective article. Journalists from this trustworthy, traditional outlet would never deceive or lie to me.¹
• X_1 is the bad guy, X_2 is the good guy, and everything happening in Y is because of Z. I’ve read numerous studies and listened to political podcasts, so you could say I’m an expert by now. Ask me anything on my livestream. I’ve never set foot in Y, but the analyses are undeniably convincing. Genuine truth-seeking is so rare these days; hand me my medal of honor already.

Image source: Picryl

The Die Is Cast, What Next?

Is there a way to shield oneself from this piercing arrogance and disregard? Let me share how I personally cope with it.

1. Rethink Your Use of Technology

I haven’t found a silver bullet for controlling my online consumption habits. I try to use as few social networks as anonymously as possible, but the urge sometimes wins out. What helps me consistently is shifting to creating and learning. For me, it’s about having fun rather than preparing a masterclass.

It can be anything: composing music, writing throwaway poems, doodling in a notebook, or making mundane vlogs. With AI or without it, with an audience or without one. Choose your flavor, as long as you take an active role in creating and learning. I don’t find it helpful to simply regurgitate a social media post I saw five minutes ago. Instead of just trying to reduce screen time, why don’t we reorient technology toward creation rather than pure consumption?

2. Emotional Regulation

The internet will always find something to panic about. The further we go, the more unhinged it gets. In August 2026, it’s still GenAI “revolutionizing the way we work”, a narrative that is hopefully starting to fade. The only substantial change we might observe after these past three-plus years is an economic hangover caused by a few nerds in Silicon Valley playing with high-end gaming hardware.

Similarly, influencers, politicians, journalists, and other specimens of Homo sapiens push distorted worldviews designed primarily to agitate. Interacting with their fantasy worlds yields almost no positive return for your quality of life. Sure, there are people online worth following, but that misses my point. Finding a tiny gold nugget after spending four hours submerged in a cesspool doesn’t negate the frustration of having spent four hours in a cesspool. That describes being online for me: it is Pyrrhic by design.

Be protective of your mental and emotional bandwidth. Ask yourself:

• Will I even remember this in 5 minutes?
• If I do, is it worth my time and effort?
• In what way does this actually help me?

If a screen-time app works for you, use it. If you haven’t tried meditation, give it a shot. It doesn’t need to be a elaborate ritual where you sit cross-legged, burning incense for three hours. Staring at a wall for 15 minutes a day, as silly as it sounds, might be a solid start.

Move your body regularly. It has done wonders for my mental health. Even half an hour of intense exercise every other day can work miracles.

I also highly recommend staying away from the pornified parts of the internet, if that applies to you. It certainly applies to me. Spending more than 20 minutes on Reddit gives me the sensation of undergoing a lobotomy without anesthesia.

Image source: Picryl

3. Intentionality

Be dead serious about something and relentlessly make it the anchor of your life. Whether that’s building a family, cultivating lifelong friendships, helping others, creating art, building a business, or rescuing animals—you likely already know what it is for you. If you don’t, then it’s time to figure it out.

I know I make it sound simple. It isn’t always possible to chase your highest ambitions immediately. My point is to be careful about what you allow to define you. If “traveling the world,” “climbing the corporate ladder,” or “being a dog parent” is what you consider your most profound focus, perhaps your focus is worth reconsidering. Is a carefree life truly what you want? Or is it a sign of unintentionality and lack of direction? To me, the ultimate tragedy of someone’s life is its wasted potential.

While being average in most areas of life is…surprise, suprise…normal, you should strive to be exceptional in something you genuinely care about. Being preoccupied with your own craft, goals, and problems is what keeps you from falling into the trap of digital solipsism.

Happy learning!

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1. In all seriousness, how can a journalist be truly objective, and why do we treat pure objectivity as the ultimate virtue? Where did this expectation come from? ↩︎