Why do kids stay in the internet for hours, do not get up and socialize outside the house?

I am gonna answer that question from my perspective- from my own insights, experiences, and thoughts about the question.

Technically, kids do socialize in the internet. That is why they call Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and sites of the sort, "social medias". When you search the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for the word "socialize", it will give you the defition, " to talk to and do things with other people in a friendly way", so, yes, kids socialize - but on a different manner.

Life in the cyberworld is easier than the life in the real world. You can limitlessly shop without hurting your feet. You can play video games even if it is raining. You can learn how to play musical instruments, different languages, and read some books for free. These are things that you can do in the cyberspace which you are restrained to do in the real world.

I have been spending so much time in the internet. I often watch videos and spend my time viewing and posting on my social medias. I admit it. I am being so nosy, watching other people's  vlogs, wondering what others do everyday, while I am just staying inside the house. I check others' Instagram accounts, trying to learn what are the best angles and filters. I also keep on reading fanfictions about Harry Potter online.

I depend my life on the internet. I am free to move. It is a place wherein I can just feel like I am safe, protected, and like I am in a lateral universe, wherein at a click, I can socialize with my friends. At a click, I can shut the things all up and pretend like I am invisible.

Sometimes, I pretend like I am invisible. Sometimes, we all pretend like we are invisible. I know that there comes a time in your life wherein you have a very big problem and you just want to escape them all, but you can't. Well, in the cyberworld, you can simply click the X sign at the top of the page. While, on the real world, we don't have an X sign that we can click for there are no escapes. Once you are trapped, you are trapped. You have one choice: face the consequence. That is why if I can make contact with the cyberworld, I make contact. I try to be there as much as possible.

However, when the internet is as slow as a snail, I get to remember the reality of life because the X sign at the top of the page can sometimes not function well during a slow internet connection. It means that just like in the real world, I am now trapped in the cyberworld. The slow internet connection is like the primary reasons why I- and other children stay on the internet for hours. These are unwanted judgements, comments, stares, remarks, and all those stuffs that we receive in the real world.

I, like any other human being, am being judged. You may wonder why. It is all because of my personality.

As the title of this blog post goes, I am going to talk about how blessed I am during the recent events that happened to me. And I know that I haven't been as active here as I planned. However, this blog still has a special place in my heart and I want this to be sentimental to me.

So.... let's start off.


My last blog post was on November 12th. I can't seem to forget that moment because that day gave me hope, happiness, and self confidence. Well, on that day, the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) . I have mentioned in my Blogger profile that I have been joining that competition (and winning) for the past 3 years in the elementary category. But this year, I have been chosen to represent my school in the same area, which is science writing, but in the HIGH SCHOOL category. I was so nervous because I am still a grade 7 student and I competed against students from higher years. Thus, when I entered the contest room, my self-esteem immediately went down because I was intimidated by the other contestants, who were so tall and they looked like they were geniuses and confident to win the writing competition. With their height, it is so obvious that they are older and more mature than me.

I became really sad. Then, I asked myself these questions, "What if I lose? What if my world ends? What if everyone from school wins, but me?"

Yes. I became pessimistic. But, I just kept this quote from Harry Potter, "What is life without a risk?" And it came to my mind that the biggest prize that I can take is the experience that I'll make.

I took the risk. I competed. Of course, I also prayed to God and asked for His guidance. I told Him that I respect Him. I told Him that whatever award I'll get, I'll offer it to Him for He does things for my sake and for my betterment. I ALWAYS trust Him.

Then the results were in. They already called the 7th placer, and I haven't heard my name. They called the 3rd placer, which will compete in the regionals, and my name still wasn't called. At that time, I knew that my co-writers and school paper adviser already lost their hope that I'll win. Even I, myself, lost hope. I was already praying to God, thanking Him for the wonderful opportunity that He has given me.

I wasn't listening to the results anymore when suddenly, the announcer said, "First place..... from NDDU-IBED Lagao..... Mariela Anya Soriño."

WOW. JUST WOW.  I never expected to win.

Two weeks after the DSPC, I competed in Koronadal City for the Regional Schools Press Conference. However, this time, I did not win. Although, I personally know the winner since she was one of my colleagues when I attended the regional training for the national qualifiers (NSPC qualifiers) for the past two years, with me in the elementary category and she in the high school category. And I know that she is a good writer who has potential,  chances in winning, and can give pride to our region during the nationals.

Opportunities like this do not come easily. You have to work hard for it. And of course, ask for God's guidance. Maybe, I did not win the regionals because it is still not my time. He has plans for me and I'll win in His perfect time. I can still join next time. Actually, I can still join three more times because remember, I am still in the 7th grade.

Even if I did not win this time, my efforts were not wasted because my faith became  stronger. I also made several memories. As what I've said earlier, "the biggest prize that I can take is the experience that I'll make."