I understand this sentiment because I had a similar story growing up, but I’ve had to come to terms that the internet of that era does not exist anymore.

Now we have these corporations who made it their goal to algorithmically trick you into spending more and more time engaged with their website for ad revenue, not caring how angry or misinformed people get in the meantime. It used to be a place we could escape to, but has turned into just another echo chamber/prison and worst of all - we’re addicted to it.

I think places like Mastodon and the Fediverse can help bridge this gap, but on the whole, the internet is just not a safe place for developing brains anymore.

I found kind and supportive influences as a minor that kept me away from the hate/conservatism/fascism that many of my classmates descended into.

Do you think your classmates found those influences from somewhere outside the internet? At least in Europe, the alt-right has been way more efficient at reaching young people online, especially boys and men.