The Internet can be a strange and wonderful place… but it can also be the stuff of nightmares. And although these trips into scary territory can happen for a number of reasons, there's no denying that often, it's because of things like — gasp! — pop-up ads. But hey, as website building resource StudyWeb's infographic featuring the seven most hated Internet “innovation” points out, at least we're all suffering together, right?
There's a reason “innovations” is in quotation marks, by the way—and that reason is this: Those things? They are the scourges of the Internet. They are the things that no one likes, and yet for some reason, they still make up a huge amount of the online experience. But although all of the items on the inforgraphic are, in fact, massively annoying, I can't help but feel that it missed a few. Does anyone else think these additional seven fixtures of the online world deserve a spot on the list? Because seriously, you guys. One more “interstitial” web page and I'm going to scream.
Scroll down to check out the full infographic. Which awful invention do you regret the most?
1. Autoplay Videos
I hate pop-up ads. I hate them. But you know what I hate even more? Autoplay videos. As far as I am concerned, these are, hands down, the absolute worst thing ever to have happened to the Internet. Ever.
2. Trolling
To be fair, trolling existed long before the Internet; we just called it “bullying” and “harassment” then. I mean, we still call it bullying and harassment, but the Internet opened up a whole new way for people to be awful to one another.
3. Interstitial Web Pages
How annoying is it when you try to visit a web page, only be to stuck looking at a different web page for 30 seconds (which seems like forever) before the web page you actually wanted to visit lets you see it? So annoying.
4. Phishing
And doxing. And identity theft. And all other types of data breaching.
Wrong kind of phishing, Roy Scheider.
5. The Typing Awareness Indicator
This one isn't limited to the Internet — it also goes for cell phones — but, well… Let me just point you in the direction of “Annie96 Is Typing.”
6. Selfies
Although selfies are similarly not limited to the Internet, the widespread sharing of them is. TMI, you guys. TMI.
7. The Hamster Dance
KILL IT. KILL IT WITH FIRE.
Check out the full infographic below:
