“Hi! I’m Gia Phong, a 7th-grade student from Vietnam with a mind that never stops asking ‘why’ and ‘how.’

 

Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by the invisible systems that shape our world—how the ‘cloud’ is actually a physical place, why crowds behave differently than individuals, and what our daily screen time really costs the planet. I was the kind of kid who would watch YouTube not just for fun, but to learn how things worked, from data centers to the grammar of a new language.

 

At first, my curiosity lived quietly in my head. But over time, I realized that the best way to understand something is to write about it. Writing became my way of untangling complex ideas, connecting dots between science, technology, and human behavior. It’s how I make sense of the world—and how I hope to help others make sense of it too.

 

I chose IYJ because I believe the most important conversations should happen among young people. I’ve read articles here that made me think differently, and I want to contribute my own voice—sharing stories about the hidden sides of our digital lives, the psychology of our connected world, and the big questions that keep curious minds awake at night. I’m just a 12-year-old who loves to learn, connect dots, and share what I find with all of you,” said Gia Phong.