Growing up in a small town, life without the internet was all I knew. It was simpler in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until later. Our days were filled with adventures that required no screens or connections beyond our own imaginations.
Summer mornings began with the smell of dew on the grass as
my friends and I raced to meet under the old oak tree in the park. That was our
headquarters, where we planned every game, whether it was hide-and-seek or
baseball. The rules were made up on the spot, and any disputes were settled
with rock-paper-scissors or a coin toss. With no phones to distract us, we
relied completely on our imagination and the thrill of the outdoors.
In the afternoons, I often went to the library with
my
siblings. The smell of books—the musty pages and worn covers—was like our
version of a search engine. I remember flipping through encyclopedias, heavy in
my hands, looking for answers to homework questions or simply satisfying my
curiosity about far-off places I’d never seen. Borrowing books was like
unlocking new worlds, each one a window into another reality. The librarians
were gatekeepers to knowledge, always guiding me to the next great adventure hidden
in the stacks.
When relatives visited, the house would fill with laughter
and excitement. All the cousins would gather, sitting in a circle to play board
games or share stories about school. We talked about our teachers, classmates,
and the small dramas of childhood, laughing at our shared experiences. There
were no distractions during those gatherings—just the simple joy of each
other’s company.
Evenings were quiet, marked by family dinners where
conversation flowed freely, uninterrupted by notifications or messages. We
didn’t have streaming services, so we gathered around the television for the
few programs that aired. If you missed a show, there was no replay button; you
just waited for the next week’s episode or listened as friends described it at
school the next day. But more often than not, we spent those long evenings
outside, playing kick-the-can or riding our bikes through the quiet streets
until dusk.
During blackouts, which were frequent, we would head up to
the rooftop to gaze at the stars. The entire family—cousins, aunts, uncles,
parents—would spread out on cots, listening to the soft hum of the night and
feeling the cool breeze as we drifted off to sleep. The sky seemed vast, and
without the glow of city lights, the stars sparkled like diamonds. Those nights
were magical, filled with whispers, laughter, and the comfort of being
surrounded by loved ones.
When it rained, we stayed indoors, playing board games or
working on jigsaw puzzles. Monopoly marathons could last for days, and we kept
track of wins with scribbled notes in the game box. Some nights, we’d light
candles and tell stories, with each person adding new twists and turns. These
moments were never rushed, and without the internet, time seemed to stretch
endlessly.
At school, we relied on teachers and textbooks, and every
research project meant a trip to the library. I remember the satisfaction of
flipping through index cards in the card catalog, finally finding the right
book. Copying notes by hand was slow but deliberate, and somehow, that made the
knowledge stick. We passed notes between classes, written on folded pieces of
paper—our version of instant messaging.
Now that the internet has become part of our lives, every
aspect of life has changed. What used to take hours of research in a library is
now available in seconds online. There’s no longer a need to wait to connect
with friends or family—social media and messaging apps allow us to communicate
anytime. But sometimes it feels like the more we stay connected online, the
more we drift away from real-life relationships. Those family gatherings happen
less frequently, as everyone is busy with their own screens.
The internet has undoubtedly made life easier and more
convenient. Access to any information, entertainment, or product is just a few
clicks away. Work has also become simpler—we can connect with people globally
from the comfort of home, learn new skills, and even conduct business.
However, the internet has also introduced new challenges.
Many people are becoming disconnected from the real world due to social media
and online gaming. Issues like cyberbullying, fake news, and privacy breaches
are on the rise. Excessive use of the internet, especially among younger
generations, can negatively affect mental health.
The question of whether the internet is good or bad for
society isn’t easy to answer. It is a tool—whether it’s good or bad depends on
how we use it. It opens doors to information, opportunities, and new
relationships, but it’s essential to ensure that technology doesn’t overshadow
our real-life connections and relationships. Striking the right balance is key
to making the most of the internet’s benefits.
Looking back, I realize the internet has given us a lot, but we’ve also lost some precious things. The slow pace of life, the uninterrupted conversations, and the time spent getting lost in our imaginations—all of these still hold a unique place. We used to stay connected without the internet, through our imaginations and the world around us. Now, we just need to remember that even in this digital age, the importance of human connections and relationships should never be forgotten.
