From Dial-Up to Digital Overload: 5 Ways Life Has Changed in 30 Years — And Why It’s Time to Unplug

By Jamar Gibson President, Kinsman Alliance

Let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we?

It’s the mid-90s. You just booted up your desktop computer — that chunky gray box humming like a microwave. You double-clicked AOL and heard that glorious screeching symphony of dial-up connecting to the internet. Life was simpler. Slower. And surprisingly, a lot more human.

Fast forward to today: our phones are smarter than the computers that put a man on the moon. We carry the entire internet in our back pockets — and somehow still feel more overwhelmed, more distracted, and more distant than ever before.

The digital era has brought blessings, no doubt. But it’s also snuck in some quiet, sneaky challenges that affect how we relate to God, each other, and even ourselves.

Here are 5 major ways life has changed in the last 30 years — and why it might be time to press pause… literally.

1. We’ve Gone from Conversation to Notification

Remember when “hanging out” meant talking face to face? Now it’s typing “LOL” while not actually laughing. Notifications replaced conversations. Group chats replaced real groups. And somewhere along the way, we stopped hearing each other — because we stopped listening.

Let’s get real again.

2. We’re More “Connected” but More Alone

Social media promised connection. But studies now show we’re lonelier than ever. We scroll through everyone’s highlight reels and feel like we’re falling behind. But deep, godly community can’t be built on algorithms — it’s built through presence, eye contact, and time.

It’s time to trade FOMO for real fellowship.

3. Information is Everywhere… But So is Misinformation

The internet made everyone an “expert.” You can Google your way into any opinion you want — including ones that steer you far from truth. The Word of God has been replaced in some homes with YouTubers, influencers, and trending TikToks. Yikes.

We need less noise and more wisdom.

4. Attention Spans Have Shrunk… Like, a Lot

Studies show the average attention span today is shorter than a goldfish’s. (No, seriously.) That’s no coincidence. From scrolling reels to swiping stories, we’ve been trained to chase quick hits of dopamine. But the things of God — prayer, study, meaningful relationships — take time and focus.

It’s time to re-learn how to be still.

5. We’ve Lost Our Rhythm of Rest

We used to have natural breaks in our day — now, the workday bleeds into the weekend, and Sabbath rest is something we “try to get to.” But God commanded rest for a reason: to restore our souls, reconnect our hearts, and refocus our minds.

And that’s where “Unplugged” comes in…

You're Invited: UNPLUGGED – A Call Back to Real Life

When: Saturday May 3rd, 2025 11am-3pm

Where: Judson Baptist Church – 4471 E Atherton Rd, Burton, MI 48519

What: Unplugged is a powerful, family-centered event designed to break the grip of digital overindulgence and restore biblical values, real connection, and spiritual clarity in a distracted world.

This isn’t just an event. It’s a movement. It's time to unplug from the noise… and plug back into the Source.

Whether you grew up playing outside ‘til the streetlights came on or you’ve never known a world without WiFi — you are invited. Let’s rediscover the joy of being present. Together.

See you at Unplugged.

– Jamar Gibson

President, Kinsman Alliance