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Never Logged Out: How the Internet Created India's Gen Z
One day we logged on to the internet, and then we never logged out.
On 15 August 1995, India officially logged on to the internet. If you're a young Indian today, you come from a generation that used to dream of the endless possibilities that came with having the world at our fingertips, and now must cope with its realities. India's Gen Z is inextricably tied to the internet – connected in more ways
than one. To understand one, you must understand the other.
From the quiet potential of the early internet to Bollywood's clumsy depictions of youth culture, from tote bags and trending aesthetics to anonymous hate and viral fame, from Ask.fm to AI, Never Logged Out by 'extremely online' Gen Z writer Ria Chopra tries to make sense of her generation and how they love, shop,
and live on the internet.
In eight essays, each posing questions about selfhood, love, memory, privacy, anonymity, knowledge, fame, and ambition, Never Logged Out interrogates how the internet makes and breaks this generation. Fresh, funny, and startlingly insightful, Ria weaves together personal anecdotes, cultural commentary, and a sharp understanding of her generation and the world today into a first-of-its-kind book about the experience of growing up on, with, and because of the Indian internet.
On 15 August 1995, India officially logged on to the internet. If you're a young Indian today, you come from a generation that used to dream of the endless possibilities that came with having the world at our fingertips, and now must cope with its realities. India's Gen Z is inextricably tied to the internet – connected in more ways
than one. To understand one, you must understand the other.
From the quiet potential of the early internet to Bollywood's clumsy depictions of youth culture, from tote bags and trending aesthetics to anonymous hate and viral fame, from Ask.fm to AI, Never Logged Out by 'extremely online' Gen Z writer Ria Chopra tries to make sense of her generation and how they love, shop,
and live on the internet.
In eight essays, each posing questions about selfhood, love, memory, privacy, anonymity, knowledge, fame, and ambition, Never Logged Out interrogates how the internet makes and breaks this generation. Fresh, funny, and startlingly insightful, Ria weaves together personal anecdotes, cultural commentary, and a sharp understanding of her generation and the world today into a first-of-its-kind book about the experience of growing up on, with, and because of the Indian internet.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
47 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 18, 2025
I’ve been wanting to read this ever since i heard ria was publishing a book, as someone who is chronically online the book had a lot of aspects i could relate to (or have lived through) it also allowed me to think more consciously about what the internet as a tool has meant and will mean to me
Alsooo right balance of anecdotal and informational content, might re-read!
Alsooo right balance of anecdotal and informational content, might re-read!
December 26, 2025
Really loved this!! Read non-fiction after quite a while.. it is worth it.
What I liked about this book was that it was well researched, but the how to connect those outcomes of research was well thought, it wasn't just blindly aligning to them, but was thought through by the author. I follow her on instagram, and usually like her writings and reels on that, but this book gave me even more insight into how she thinks.
The best part about it was how she nudges us to think about the questions that matter!
What I liked about this book was that it was well researched, but the how to connect those outcomes of research was well thought, it wasn't just blindly aligning to them, but was thought through by the author. I follow her on instagram, and usually like her writings and reels on that, but this book gave me even more insight into how she thinks.
The best part about it was how she nudges us to think about the questions that matter!
December 22, 2025
when this becomes an international bestseller and classic, i’ll know i called it in the first month of its release. I don’t have any other way to put this but for years i have wanted to read this very book but it simply did not exist. And now it does. @riachops is going places and i’ve known it since her twitter threads days. Thank you for writing this and sharing it with the world :)
December 28, 2025
ngl, i went into this book with high expectations and i’m so happy to say it hit every single mark. it’s rare for a non-fiction to stick with me this quickly — i was only three chapters in and i was already referencing one of the concepts mid-conversation with a friend.
the book strikes such a perfect balance: it makes you feel seen with relatable stuff, but it also forces you to think deeper ideas. i enjoyed learning about things i previously knew nothing about (still reeling from the askfm stuff).
also, i like how ria has backed everything up with theories, quotes, and references to other books that hit exactly where they need to. I LOVE IT.
the book strikes such a perfect balance: it makes you feel seen with relatable stuff, but it also forces you to think deeper ideas. i enjoyed learning about things i previously knew nothing about (still reeling from the askfm stuff).
also, i like how ria has backed everything up with theories, quotes, and references to other books that hit exactly where they need to. I LOVE IT.
December 16, 2025
As a girl who logged on to the internet at 12 years old and has had the privilege of growing up on the internet, the lore behind certain niche things hits so close to home. I have seen the rise of some mega youtubers and have been there for their irrelevance era, have watched trends come and go, certainly bought something just for the sake of it and have fallen down the rabbit hole of quora, reddit or tumblr oh so often. The thesis of each essay was easy to follow and the thread tying it all together was so beautiful, the aspect of having grown on the internet sometimes makes me feel crass but at the same time it does feel like a huge part of my life, so reading this and understanding from a analytical and philosophical lens made me feel a tiny bit better that I AM THE INDIAN GENZ SHAPED BY THE INDIAN INTERNET.
December 10, 2025
While I am not Gen Z, half my life has been on the internet, and this book made me realise how much that experience has shaped who I am today and how it will continue to influence who I become. It also reminded me to be cautious about how the online world tries to slot us into predetermined lists and checkboxes. On the internet, you are always a target audience for someone, and your value to them depends on how neatly you fit into the categories they have created.
When you never truly log out, your life becomes a performance for others, and every past moment stays preserved for anyone to revisit.
It makes you wonder how often the labels the internet places on people begin to feel true simply because they are repeated, and how easily those simplified versions start to replace who they really are.
When you never truly log out, your life becomes a performance for others, and every past moment stays preserved for anyone to revisit.
It makes you wonder how often the labels the internet places on people begin to feel true simply because they are repeated, and how easily those simplified versions start to replace who they really are.
December 26, 2025
read it as someone who wanted to learn, explore and witness the world through Ria's eyes. absolutely enjoyed every bit of it and the new rabbit holes i delved into while reading
December 25, 2025
4.5
I usually don't read non fiction but Ria Chopra talks about too many interesting things for me to not read it
I usually don't read non fiction but Ria Chopra talks about too many interesting things for me to not read it
December 15, 2025
so cool. never have I ever read something that romanticized a topic so awesomely and also educated me a lot about it. the vocab and the quirky sentences. fab. so fun. so beaut. so unputdownable. oof.
December 23, 2025
Never Logged Out is a title I immediately loved. The more you sit with it, the truer it feels. It brought to mind that iconic line from Hotel California—“You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.” Though originally about drugs, it feels uncannily apt for the internet. In a world where even my toaster needs an internet connection, being online is no longer a luxury or a choice; it has become a necessity we’re all forced to live with.
The book is fast-paced—almost deceptively so. I often had to consciously slow myself down because I found myself reading too quickly, carried along by the rhythm of the writing. I especially loved the way the author weaves in quotes from others between pages; they add texture and pause, allowing the ideas to breathe.
The range of topics the author takes on is impressive, and many of them linger long after you’ve finished reading. The point about our growing over-reliance on ratings, in particular, is one I know I’ll be thinking about for a while. Each chapter feels like a sharp, interesting short essay, making the book highly readable and engaging.
That said, the chapter My Bag felt a bit scattered. It begins strongly with ideas around identity and consumption, then shifts to planned obsolescence, and finally to sweatshops. Just when it feels like the author is about to reinforce a central argument, the focus changes. Each of these themes is important, but together they dilute the impact. A tighter focus around one central idea would have made the chapter far more powerful.
Overall, Never Logged Out is a compelling, thought-provoking read that captures the uneasy reality of our permanently connected lives, one that we may occasionally want to escape, but can never truly log out of.
The book is fast-paced—almost deceptively so. I often had to consciously slow myself down because I found myself reading too quickly, carried along by the rhythm of the writing. I especially loved the way the author weaves in quotes from others between pages; they add texture and pause, allowing the ideas to breathe.
The range of topics the author takes on is impressive, and many of them linger long after you’ve finished reading. The point about our growing over-reliance on ratings, in particular, is one I know I’ll be thinking about for a while. Each chapter feels like a sharp, interesting short essay, making the book highly readable and engaging.
That said, the chapter My Bag felt a bit scattered. It begins strongly with ideas around identity and consumption, then shifts to planned obsolescence, and finally to sweatshops. Just when it feels like the author is about to reinforce a central argument, the focus changes. Each of these themes is important, but together they dilute the impact. A tighter focus around one central idea would have made the chapter far more powerful.
Overall, Never Logged Out is a compelling, thought-provoking read that captures the uneasy reality of our permanently connected lives, one that we may occasionally want to escape, but can never truly log out of.
December 11, 2025
I began following Ria on Instagram earlier this year after coming across some of her reels, e.g. the origin of the word 'Paparazzi', the joys of having a diverse friend group, etc. I liked the way she expressed her thoughts and was really excited to see how it translates into writing in this book. I got exactly what I hoped for, and I'm really happy I got to read this!
Never Logged Out has a lot of strengths - I love the range of topics, from relationships on social media to knowledge/the idea of knowing with the internet to the portrayal of internet/social media use in recent Hindi cinema. I especially enjoyed the moments when Ria put in her own anecdotes about various aspects of growing up with the internet. As a young millenial or a very old Gen-Z (based on which definition you take), it was also really relatable. The more information-based passages in the book were nicely integrated and didn't feel too dense. I also especially loved that this book didn't just give me information but actually left me raising questions about my own use of the internet and its impact on how I think - something that I had never really thought about too deeply before.
If I had to suggest any improvements, I would probably just say that I would have liked some discussions to be even more developed, and have read more of Ria's opinions, criticisms, and predictions on the various aspects of Gen-Z behaviour with the internet. But hopefully there will be more books to come in the future!
Never Logged Out has a lot of strengths - I love the range of topics, from relationships on social media to knowledge/the idea of knowing with the internet to the portrayal of internet/social media use in recent Hindi cinema. I especially enjoyed the moments when Ria put in her own anecdotes about various aspects of growing up with the internet. As a young millenial or a very old Gen-Z (based on which definition you take), it was also really relatable. The more information-based passages in the book were nicely integrated and didn't feel too dense. I also especially loved that this book didn't just give me information but actually left me raising questions about my own use of the internet and its impact on how I think - something that I had never really thought about too deeply before.
If I had to suggest any improvements, I would probably just say that I would have liked some discussions to be even more developed, and have read more of Ria's opinions, criticisms, and predictions on the various aspects of Gen-Z behaviour with the internet. But hopefully there will be more books to come in the future!
December 26, 2025
4.5 well deserved, thought provoking, meandering, sometimes messy, and romanticised stars.
I had never read about a book on the internet before, but I am glad I picked this one, just for the Indian context and perspective on the force that has largely shaped (and is shaped by) our lives. The author’s infectious curiosity and passion for ‘the Internet’ comes through loud and strong, proving to be a guide I could trust and resonate with.
I sympathised with her, related hard to certain sections, experienced nostalgia, experienced a sense of wonder and doom at the same time, and was provoked to think way beyond I normally would about a topic that we all take for granted. The internet is deeply entrenched in our lives, and many of the questions posed in this book are actual dilemmas of our time. The language, I must add, is breezy without being ostentatious or resorting to too much jargon, making the experience rather delightful.
This book is more about being human than about the internet, and compels you to think outside of your ‘business as usual’ mindset about constructs like privacy, permission, authenticity, and consumerism. I wish I had more specific points but I rushed through all the essays to keep reading more, and they are all a singular mishmash of ideas in my head than specific lines and quotes now.
I saw this, I understood this. I was there.
I had never read about a book on the internet before, but I am glad I picked this one, just for the Indian context and perspective on the force that has largely shaped (and is shaped by) our lives. The author’s infectious curiosity and passion for ‘the Internet’ comes through loud and strong, proving to be a guide I could trust and resonate with.
I sympathised with her, related hard to certain sections, experienced nostalgia, experienced a sense of wonder and doom at the same time, and was provoked to think way beyond I normally would about a topic that we all take for granted. The internet is deeply entrenched in our lives, and many of the questions posed in this book are actual dilemmas of our time. The language, I must add, is breezy without being ostentatious or resorting to too much jargon, making the experience rather delightful.
This book is more about being human than about the internet, and compels you to think outside of your ‘business as usual’ mindset about constructs like privacy, permission, authenticity, and consumerism. I wish I had more specific points but I rushed through all the essays to keep reading more, and they are all a singular mishmash of ideas in my head than specific lines and quotes now.
I saw this, I understood this. I was there.
December 29, 2025
The last sentence of the acknowledgement in this book is “I hope it makes you think” and it did. Reading this book made me aware of so many things. From how much the internet is impacting day to day life and the media to how the cotton tote came into being.
Okay so honestly speaking, Ria Chopra did not write anything groundbreaking in this book, I was already loosely aware everything that was mentioned here. However, it was way that she wrote, the way in which she conveyed her message. The book is full of references from a range of people, from plato to contemporary substack writers. The book has so many anecdotes and such interesting stories like that of prometheus to kabhie khushi kabhie gham. It was honestly an amazing experience reading this book. It felt like I was reading something personal. Knowing Ria Chopra, following her, and even meeting her once(!!) has made me aware of how she speaks and somewhat how she thinks also. Hence, the whole tike I was reading the book I could hear her voice in my head. It felt like she was speaking the sentences of the book.
Anyways, if you are someone who likes being aware of the current situations and are digitally very active, this is an amazing book.
Okay so honestly speaking, Ria Chopra did not write anything groundbreaking in this book, I was already loosely aware everything that was mentioned here. However, it was way that she wrote, the way in which she conveyed her message. The book is full of references from a range of people, from plato to contemporary substack writers. The book has so many anecdotes and such interesting stories like that of prometheus to kabhie khushi kabhie gham. It was honestly an amazing experience reading this book. It felt like I was reading something personal. Knowing Ria Chopra, following her, and even meeting her once(!!) has made me aware of how she speaks and somewhat how she thinks also. Hence, the whole tike I was reading the book I could hear her voice in my head. It felt like she was speaking the sentences of the book.
Anyways, if you are someone who likes being aware of the current situations and are digitally very active, this is an amazing book.
December 28, 2025
I was blown away by this book, and I just couldn’t stop reading! I’ve rarely seen the internet explained this honestly, without drama or forced nostalgia. Ria captures something so rare: how Gen Z shaped the internet and how the internet shaped Gen Z. As someone her age who went to a school in Delhi, many moments felt uncannily real, especially the ask.fm era :) She covered such a wide range of themes, from psychology and human behaviour to how we interact across socio economic contexts, privilege, caste and class, internet culture, tote bags, and the rise and fall of the creator economy, and I think I just listed 10% here. The personal anecdotes really helped me connect with her, and many go hand in hand with research, so the book feels like a great combination of lived in experiences & academic insights. Somehow, I feel like I read so much about so many things, and she brings it all together at the cusp of human evolution in the digital age. I really wanted to read something on the post 2000 internet era without it being preachy, and she did exactly that. Loved it, would definitely recommend!
December 29, 2025
Okay I don't usually write book reviews on Goodreads. I have been following Ria Chopra passively for almost 2 years and when I heard her book was coming out, of course I wanted to get my hands on it. I didn't really have many expectations going in and the first time I started reading it, I got bored in the first chapter. Today, after 20 days of starting the book (I had exams in between), I tried again and honestly i got hooked and read from chapter 3 till the end, gulping every piece of content and reference given in the book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the rest of it, learning so much about the internet (despite being a gen-z myself). truly, there are so many corners to the internet and infinite worlds that we are all part of online, with no one being in the same bubble. I think Ria has done a pretty good job of portraying the online world of young Indians and it is a good read, a very thought-provoking one, I've got to say. Take your time with this book. Pause in between. Look up stuff. You will relate with it even more then!
December 22, 2025
I wanted to read this book primarily because I saw that a chapter of it was based on Ask FM, a social media site that blew up when I was a teen. I enjoyed the general ideas in every chapter, but felt that the material had more of a “research paper” vibe than I liked.
The book talks about how India’s Gen Z has been shaped by the Internet - the idea that one day, we logged on to the Internet - and then never logged out. This is particularly true when I think about my childhood and early adulthood - lots of my thought processes and ideas have been moulded by various types of social media: Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, YouTube. There were more niche ones like Club Penguin and Ask FM, but on the whole, internet culture played a big part in both how my friends and I perceived the world and how we were perceived.
I think overall the author did a good job, because each essay made me think.
The book talks about how India’s Gen Z has been shaped by the Internet - the idea that one day, we logged on to the Internet - and then never logged out. This is particularly true when I think about my childhood and early adulthood - lots of my thought processes and ideas have been moulded by various types of social media: Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, YouTube. There were more niche ones like Club Penguin and Ask FM, but on the whole, internet culture played a big part in both how my friends and I perceived the world and how we were perceived.
I think overall the author did a good job, because each essay made me think.
December 25, 2025
This book feels like an intellectual conversation with a best friend about the internet - makes you laugh, throws in a pop culture reference, brings up nostalgia, feels vulnerable and definitely, makes you think.
The beauty of the book lies in the structure through which the author views the internet - selfhood, love, memory, privacy, anonymity, knowledge, fame, and ambition. In my opinion, this also provides us a framework through which we can reflect upon our internet journey, interaction and persona.
A much needed book that provides a snapshot of the relationship we have with internet right now. Personally this book has helped me get back into non-fiction. Looking forward to more books from the author Ria
The beauty of the book lies in the structure through which the author views the internet - selfhood, love, memory, privacy, anonymity, knowledge, fame, and ambition. In my opinion, this also provides us a framework through which we can reflect upon our internet journey, interaction and persona.
A much needed book that provides a snapshot of the relationship we have with internet right now. Personally this book has helped me get back into non-fiction. Looking forward to more books from the author Ria
December 28, 2025
3.5 stars!
This book delivered on what was promised. It is informative while also being anecdotal & personal.
As a person who is born in the years that are technically on the cusp of Millennial and Gen-Z, the first chapter made perfect sense. It touched upon the accessibility to the internet in India based on a lot of socioeconomic factors. There were many other important topics like attention span, being famous on the Internet etc.
This book is the perfect mix between reading something informative and well researched about the Internet culture along with reading about the real-life experience of someone who grew up on the Internet.
This book delivered on what was promised. It is informative while also being anecdotal & personal.
As a person who is born in the years that are technically on the cusp of Millennial and Gen-Z, the first chapter made perfect sense. It touched upon the accessibility to the internet in India based on a lot of socioeconomic factors. There were many other important topics like attention span, being famous on the Internet etc.
This book is the perfect mix between reading something informative and well researched about the Internet culture along with reading about the real-life experience of someone who grew up on the Internet.
December 14, 2025
I devoured this book in a week. Have been following Ria’s work for quite a few years now. Her blogs, reels and tidbits are all over my echo chamber. This book felt like a memoir on behalf of my entire generation, Gen Z that is. It is so well researched and keeps you hooked because of the so many pop culture references and things that entice us.
I feel so happy to have read this for now I have a better perception about the internet, aka life itself.
I feel so happy to have read this for now I have a better perception about the internet, aka life itself.
December 28, 2025
Internet plays a unique role through everyone’s perspective, this one expanded mine with 8 beautifully written essays about selfhood, love, memory, privacy, anonymity, knowledge, fame and ambition. A very balanced view backed by holistic observations and research, thoroughly enjoyed reading this, would highly recommend.
December 28, 2025
i agree with most sentiments in this book, but i should be allowed to be a little parasocial about riachops, as a treat
(the book did, in fact feel very good in my hands and i did, in fact enjoy it, and it definitely made me think)
(the book did, in fact feel very good in my hands and i did, in fact enjoy it, and it definitely made me think)
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December 27, 2025DNF 13%
December 29, 2025
My biggest flex is being one of the first readers of this iconic book🫡
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews