The internet has changed our lives in amazing ways. News travels across the world in seconds, and friends on different continents can chat as if they were in the same room. However, the same technology that brings us together can also take us away from the real world, which worries many parents and teachers. The key, as Cozy often says, is to use it wisely rather than let it use us.
Han Mei is a good example of smart use. Last year she downloaded a language-learning application, which offers short video lessons in a series of levels. Every morning she spends twenty minutes on her phone, practicing listening and pronunciation. 'The app is convenient because I can study anywhere,' she said. 'But I make a rule for myself: no chatting during study time.' Thanks to the app, her English has improved a lot, which surprised even her teacher.
Jack, on the other hand, is a young blogger, whose articles about online life have thousands of readers. He interviews programmers and designers, asking them about the internet industry and its future. 'People who work online must be professional and responsible,' he wrote in one post. Jack's blog, which is updated every Friday, has become a small classroom for his classmates, who discuss his ideas in the school computer club.
But the internet also has a dark side. Some students become addicts, spending hours on games or social media until midnight. They lose focus in class and their grades drop, which makes them feel anxious. One day Cozy asked his class to list the risks of online life. 'Addiction, false information and wasted time,' the students answered. Then he taught them a simple method: set specific goals, use a schedule, and turn off the phone when studying.
At the end of the semester, Han Mei and Jack gave a joint speech, which moved the whole school. 'The internet is a window, not a cage,' Han Mei said. 'We should acquire knowledge from it, share kindness through it, and always keep our feet on the ground.' Their speech, as everyone agreed, was the best advice of the year. The students left the hall with a new idea in mind: be connected, but stay free.