BLUE METAVERSE

GAME ADDICTION

“Before addiction to online games, Faiz was an exemplary santri. He is a role model for other students. We don't want other students to follow in his footsteps. Therefore rules must be enforced. Faiz has broken the rules, often does not participate in pesantren activities and for the last 6 months he was recorded to have skipped more than 30 days. The school has been warning, advising and punishing according to procedures, but nothing has deterred him. Papa has also repeatedly spoken with four eyes but has not managed to make him re-compliance with school rules.”

“What's because of Faiz's online game addiction to bad boys?”

“No. Papa's sure he's a good boy. When advised Faiz always listened quietly and answered all questions politely. But well, it turns out our advice is just in the left ear out the right ear. Papa is old, brother. Decades as an educator, has never faced a dilemma as of now. Confused as to how. Faiz cannot be advised at all. You can't be hard on your own grandson. No other teacher dared to give harsh punishment because he was the son of Satya, one of the founders and main donors of this pesantren. Apart from that, Faiz had a shady eye gaze and a calm manners. As hypnotized as charisma, Papa and the other teachers can never get angry in front of him.”

Ritha again swallowed her own saliva. Charisma should not be doubted. It seems Faiz inherited his charismatic leadership talent from his father. The aura emanated from within his body and the light of his eyes was able to hypnotize people to obey and disdain him. But somehow Ritha felt the character of her son was getting here increasingly seeming anti-social, even lead to psychopathic behavior. The feeling made her guts more and more shriveled and doubted her ability to educate children. If those who understand pedagogy give up on Faiz, what about his lay self. Almost half of his life was dedicated to his profession as an architect. Ritha is only adept at how to design buildings, landscape and manage construction companies. Could it be that her maternal instinct is eroded by the rigors of construction work or by her selfishness as a mother who has given up fully the education of children for 9 years only to educational institutions. Ritha. He thought everything would go according to the prejudices that settled in the head, giving education to experts. Not just anyone, but his own proven father was able to become the best teacher for decades poor across the world of education. Apparently not. Papa chose to give his grandson back to the lap of the parents for the benefit of the education of hundreds of other students in the pesantren he managed. Now Ritha was confused and anxious. When the obligation to educate his biological son was handed back to him, all he had in his head was the question, "what is he capable of?"

Ritha doubts her ability to educate children. He has no educational knowledge or experience. Moreover, educating special children who behave 'mysteriously' like Faiz. Ritha realized that she had not been a good mother. Though he said all women were born with maternal instincts that became the main capital in child education.

Hearing what papa said just now, inexplicably Rita was worried that her eldest son was growing into a psychopath. His teenage son is so good at hiding 'something' with facial expressions and calm behavior. It was like a psychopathic character he often read about in psychology novels. Usually, psychopaths are described as people who look calm and do not feel the slightest guilt for actions that others think are wrong. Such a figure would commit a crime or attack his enemy secretly. Every action is done in a completely illegible silent mode but is able to do a very sadistic thing with no feeling of empathy at all. Hiy. Ritha didn't want her son to be like that.

His worries forced his mind to reminisce again the last time he visited Faiz last month. Faiz looked cold, showing absolutely no enthusiasm when he met his family. He kissed the back of Ritha and Satya's hands with a flat facial expression. Throughout the meeting he was just silent, sitting quietly on the sofa guest house boarding school where parents usually meet their children who became students there. Faiz even ignored his frenzied sister telling him about the dance competition that his school team had just won. As a brother, he showed no empathy at all. Boro-boro congratulates her on her sister's victory. The boy only smiled faintly with an eye that seemed dismissive. His blue eyes implied a mysterious thing that was hard to catch what it meant.

Since entering his teenage years, Faiz did not talk much. I don't like to argue or attack others. He was very secretive, never told anyone about his personal life. Little friends because it is said that more time is in front of the multimedia computer screen because he is interested in extra-curricular computer programming and networking.

Ritha is confused how tomorrow must face her own teenage son with a closed and mysterious character. Fifteen years old. He was expelled from school for skipping too much. This is beyond her expectations. Since childhood everyone has recognized Faiz's intelligence. Of course he was proud. But with his intelligence the child is able to make various reasons that are difficult to refute. He's very stubborn. No one can change his mind but himself. Ritha was getting confused, not knowing where to start directing her from. The world feels so bad.

How'this? Online gaming has poisoned his son's mind. Wrongly? I don't know. Wrong or right are often vague because technology is like a double-edged sword. It is impossible to blame the development of information technology that has been transformed into the lifestyle of the world. Educational institutions cannot close themselves from the rapid development of information technology. Unequipped

multimedia facilities, internet networks and computers, an educational institution will surely become a stone grave. Passes will certainly have difficulty when outside the pesantren environment if they do not know the world of the metaverse at all. For children who are addicted to playing in cyberspace, their social life in the real world may be disrupted. Living in two worlds allows people to hide their true personal identity in a different world. Not infrequently now we meet people who look good in the real world, it turns out to be criminals in cyberspace or vice versa.

“Maybe it's good we follow his wishes for home schooling, sister. He is obsessed with playing online games. Faiz is not a bad boy. He only needs special treatment because his hobbies are not in accordance with the rules of pesantren.” Papa spoke back. This time his voice sounded calm with wise thinking as an optimistic educator in his students.

“Discuss with mas Satya how good. The main problem is that Faiz is too busy in the world of metaverse and cannot follow the rules of pesantren whose curriculum is strict. If left alone can be a bad example for other students."

“Good, Pa. Ritha will pick up Faiz tomorrow.”

“Prophe yes, Brother! Faiz is a special boy. Papa thinks he needs hugs, prayers and more attention than his parents. You need more time to supervise and accompany ABG children who are still unstable like Faiz. Now all he needed was a discussion friend who understood him. As a mother, you may know better how to accompany children at puberty and give them a good understanding of thinking by inviting them to heart-to-heart discussions. Use your maternal instinct. Papa is sure Faiz will feel more comfortable discussing with his mother.”

Did ya? Does Ritha still have maternal instincts? Why has he not been able to understand how Faiz thinks and feels? Has she been insensitive or unable to use her maternal instincts? Is it possible that a career and a mind that is always divided makes her maternal instinct eroded until she ignores the feelings and problems experienced by her children? Or is he just lacking time with his son? Ritha continued to wonder inwardly, introspection what her fault was as a mother.

“Good, Pa.Thank you for helping us educate Faiz all this time,” said Ritha lirih.

Papa is right, the principle of child education is the responsibility of parents. It could be that Faiz only needed special treatment. Maybe it's time Ritha had to learn how to be a good parent. Inevitably he had to reduce activities outside the home. The education of children is more important than career. Ritha is aware that in fact the education of children is the obligation of parents. Ritha cannot run away from her responsibilities. Maybe this is the time when he should try to be closer and pay attention to the development of his biological children.

This incident forced Ritha to complete her career journey until here. She should focus on being a housewife for the good of her children. There have been quite a number of proud achievements gained as an architect. Hundreds of designs of dozens of high-rise buildings, resort areas and even industrial areas designed by him have received much praise. His success in supporting Satya brought Ganesha Bangun Nusantara and Goldlight New Construction into a multi-national construction company can also not be considered trivial. Everything is enough. Nothing to achieve anymore.

Maybe this is how God asks her to turn around to be a full-fledged mother. She had to step back slowly from her profession to learn to live a more noble task as a mother where child education was centered. What does it mean to have abundant career and wealth if the child lacks attention and affection. It is enough that 9 years has handed over the responsibility of child education to educational institutions alone, even though it is managed by his own father. It's time to pay the debt of time to his son, because during his stay at the boarding school Faiz has lost quality time along with his parents and younger siblings.

“Termuard, Beautiful. You better know which should be a priority.” That's all Satya said when Ritha recounted Faiz's case at night in a brief chat on the bed that night.

Ritha. Disappointed with her husband's flat response. That was completely beyond his expectations. Are all men selfish? Don't want to know about his child's education. Instead of contributing advice or ideas, Satya smiled indifferently and hugged him. Sucks. He needs a friend to exchange ideas about his child's problems, not physical touch.