The Balance of Connection: Between Bytes and Play

2 CHAPTERS The Balance of Connection: Between Bytes and Play

NANDA ÉRICA
@nanda_ericca

The Balance of Connection: Between Bytes and Play

Lucas was a teenager from Rio de Janeiro, passionate about technology and the infinite possibilities the internet offered. He spent hours surfing through online games and social networks. Everything was going well until his father, an agronomist engineer, received a job offer in the interior of Goiás. Lucas found himself forced to leave his life in the big city and move to a small rural community.

At first, Lucas was disheartened by the prospect of leaving the bustling life of Rio de Janeiro. However, his dismay soon gave way to motivation when he received a farewell gift: a state-of-the-art iPhone 15 PRO MAX. With it, Lucas imagined he could maintain his connection to the virtual world and his friends even while far from the bustle of his hometown.

Upon arriving in the new city, Lucas quickly realized that the reality there was quite different. There was no stable internet signal, let alone 3G or 4G, and no Wi-Fi networks. Children spent their days playing in the streets, running, playing soccer, and having fun outdoors. For Lucas, accustomed to the convenience of digital life in the big city, all of this seemed strange and senseless. He missed social networks, virtual conversations, and constant connection to the online world.

"I hate this place! I want to go back to my home in Rio!" Lucas vented, frustrated.

"Calm down, Lucas. You'll get used to it," his mother replied, trying to calm him down. "Go have fun, play with new friends."

"I don't want to. They're strange, playing in the dirt, sweating, running around like this red dirt is Disneyland," Lucas retorted, eyes moist, looking at the screen of his iPhone, which was useless in that place. "It's as if we're in the Stone Age here."

Anxiety, irritability, depression, and loneliness became visible in Lucas. He felt disconnected from the outside world, losing the sense of belonging that online interactions provided. Additionally, he always complained of headaches, had difficulty concentrating, and couldn't sleep well, all due to the interruption of his screen usage pattern.

There was nothing to do. Lucas had missed a lot of school in the new town; he hated going and feeling out of his natural habitat. After two months in that place, he met Nathan, a boy his age, full of life and enthusiasm. While Lucas tried to convince him to join social networks and watch Netflix series, Nathan invited him to join him and the other young people in town in their games and explorations.

Lucas was sitting alone on a bench, messing with his phone, when Nathan approached with a smile.

"Hey, Lucas! What are you doing here alone?"

"Oh, just passing the time... There's not much to do around here," Lucas said, without looking up. "But I'm busy here," he mumbled without much sincerity.

Nathan frowned. "Dude, you spend too much time glued to that phone. Why not take a break and join us? It'll be fun, I promise. I was thinking of going swimming in the river with the guys. Do you want to come?" Nathan suggested.

"I don't know," Lucas said thoughtfully, looking around and thinking, "It can't be more boring than staying here, right?" He got up and followed his friend.

On the way to the stream, they chatted.

"Lucas, have you ever tried playing soccer? It's so much fun!" Nathan tried to start a conversation.

"Yeah, I've played a few times with friends online or on my video game. It's a different experience, but it's also fun, and the best part is that you don't sweat or get tired," Lucas replied.