The Internet: Our Vast Playground

(With Endless Possibilities)

I’d be a liar if I told you I understood the internet.

In all honesty, I can’t even begin to comprehend how the internet works. Yet, as a consumer, I can appreciate it and feel intimidated by it all at once. 

This feeling of ambivalence has always bothered me.

Yet, I continue to use the internet. 

You may be wondering (or not) what I can say that hasn’t already been said.

But hear me out (if you wish). 

I wanted to write about our vast playground because I happen to be a part of one of the last generations that will remember what it was like to not have it as the center of my attention. 

But that time for me without the internet was very very brief and life has changed so much since those moments. 

But once upon a time, I was aware that something existed that allowed people to communicate with each other in seconds and that this type of technology formed a part of our society. 

Yet, for lack of money and resources, I was not able to begin to use those devices until much later (which I’m grateful for). 

I can remember my very first interactions with the internet. I was 8-years-old and we were told we were going to be learning how to type in the “computer room” at my elementary school. At that time, I did not fully understand why this was going to matter in the future. All I knew was that as I pressed a key, the key would show up on the screen and I would receive praise or shame by the game we’d play (“Type to Learn”) but I didn’t understand until much later the impact those computers were going to have on society. 

But here we are now in 2025 and a lot of advances have been made. 

Children are generally not encouraged to be online for obvious reasons but regardless of that, the internet is flooded with children aged 18 and up. Me included. 

I say that because there are a lot of people in their 20s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s that never outgrew their childlike minds. 

I still hear the child in people speak for them instead of the adult. 

For example, when people with social media accounts observe their friends, acquaintances, family members, or the people they “follow”, I can see (mainly) that the conversations being had go something like this: 

Why does Rachel get to ______ but I can’t have _____? 

Why can Tommy’s parents take him to _____ but my parents can’t?!

Why is Ryan so ____? Why aren’t I _____ ? 

Why is no one ______  me?

The conversations being had are strikingly similar to: 

Why does Rachel get to have ice cream but I can’t have ice cream? 

Why can Tommy’s parents take him to Disneyland but we can’t? 

Why is Ryan so fast? Why aren’t I as fast? 

Why is no one playing with me? 

And the same goes for me. I’m gonna be real with you.

I’m not going to sugar coat my life.

I was a loner in school (as I am online now). 

I can remember my first time in school. It was pre-kindergarten and I was very young. I noticed a boy in my class who was unable to walk or move very much. He was always in a small stroller and I noticed no kid would approach him. I was too young to understand what disabilities were at the time but as someone who was able to move, I became his aid and helped him wherever he went. The teachers thought it was “so cute” and would praise me for this. I didn’t understand why. But felt good that he wasn’t alone. He had me as a friend and I had him as a friend. I spent that whole time helping him and it brought me a lot of joy. I didn’t know it then but it was going to be one of the very few times in class that someone enjoyed my company. 

But I bring this up (not so you think I’m nice or so you can pity me) because I feel that although I know I graduated elementary school, middle school, and high school… 

School has never officially ended.

Now, as I’m typing away on my own website, on the internet, I’m still getting the hang of figuring out what this all means. 

Yet, we “adults” (if you’re 18+ in the U.S.A. anyway) are being allowed to make major decisions, assign laws and rules to communities, states and/or the entire country.

Let’s just let that sink in. 

You’ve probably noticed already but it’s a hot mess out here and our vast playground is just as chaotic… if not more. 

And this vast playground is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Someone is always in it. 

Someone is always present. 

Yet, every minute of the day, the internet (in some way or form) is being mistreated, poorly being observed, being used inappropriately, and/or causing pain and suffering to someone somewhere. 

And who are we to blame? 

It’s complicated because people will hide behind personas, fake identities, and/or worse: they use their actual identity and/or name, yet because of “their status” on the playground, they’re untouchable. 

It’s scary to me that the internet has become a giant, endless, chaotic vast playground… but one without parents around.

(Kind of like in “Lord of the Flies” lol)

It’s not that I’m complaining that we have the internet.

It’s not like I live in a little cottage in the middle of nowhere and only send letters via mail and only send messages via pigeons. I, too, am a player in the playground.

And although I can’t see the future, I can tell that with the direction we are heading, it’s going to continue being a part of our lives now and the lives ahead of us. 

I was even wondering (as I was writing this post):

How long am I allowed to be immersed in this vast playground? Is 20% of my time too much? Is 50% overkill? I don’t know y’all. I’m not a woman who possesses all the answers. 

I may not be well known but what I did want to do today is speak to anyone who was willing to read this. Even though my voice may be quiet, I still recognize my role on the vast playground.

I hope if you’re using the internet frequently (which I assume you do) I kindly ask that as part of this vast playground you consider your role in the playground. 

And if possible, to also wonder:

How has the time on the playground affected your presence outside of it?

Will you use it for the benefit of others? 

Will you misuse it? 

Abuse it?

Mistreat it?

I don’t know what you’ll do but I hope that you’ll focus on safety, courtesy, and proper use of our equipment. 

P.S. I may not have the highest IQ or be the most fascinating girl you’re ever going to “meet” online but you have your reasons for reading what I have to say. 

Whatever those reasons are, I’d love to know what they are so if you enjoyed this post, please feel free to leave a like and maybe a comment if you’re feeling generous!