That afternoon, the atmosphere was peaceful in the yard. The wind blew gently, carrying the distinctive scent of cement walls warmed by the sun. On a long wooden bench on the terrace, three children sat in a row solemnly, each immersed in their own world through the screens of their tightly held phones.
They didn't speak to each other, only occasionally smiling or swiping their fingers quickly across the screens. The digital world seemed to unite them in a lively silence. One of them even plugged a charger into a wall socket on the orange wall, ensuring their online adventures wouldn't be interrupted by battery power.
This scene may have become commonplace these days. Children no longer ran around in the field or played hide-and-seek under the blazing sun. The wooden benches that once served as social gatherings have now become "digital hangouts," where laughter was replaced by notifications, and stories by online games.
But on the other hand, there was a certain serenity radiating from them. They remained together, even though they were silent. There's togetherness in the silence, a sense of comfort under the shade of a shady home. Perhaps this is the face of modern childhood: the blend of the real world and the virtual world coexisting.
And from an adult's perspective, this scene also reminds us that times are changing. The porch remains the same, the benches are still sturdy, but the way children spend their days is different. Who knows what the future holds, but today they enjoy being together in their own way, simple, relaxed, and colorful, as the screen light reflects off their faces.
| Photographer | Smartphone used | Location |
|---|---|---|
 | Realme C53 | Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam |
