Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Excessive use of gadgets such as mobile phone, tablet and

computer can cause physical and mental damage to children.

According to a study, a child will likely to become overweight,

develop seizure and vision problems when they spend too much time

using gadgets. Persistent use of gadgets encourages a sedentary

lifestyle and may result to poor posture and weight gain. In some

cases, this may lead to neck pain, back pain, wrist pain and

headache.

The emanation of latest gadgets changed the way students’

lives. There is no doubt that cellphones and their multiple

applications along with other electronic gadgets could bring

astonishing functions into the foundation of the educative

process. Since the inception of gadgets in the 21st century,

education has never been the same as before, when one could just

download a PDF file of a certain book for their class instead of

buying or borrowing the book from the librarian.

One might simply take pictures of the writings on the board

instead of taking down notes. The possibilities are endless;

nonetheless, the use of gadgets during class hours is often frowned

upon by most schools because of the irresponsible and inappropriate

use of the students. Gadgets may help students improve their

academic performance inside the class, but is it a necessary

substitute from the old-fashioned paper and pen style being used

decades ago?

As the world grows into technologically sophisticated, there

is a great demand for the hottest electronic gadgets. These are

cellphones, laptops, cameras, MP3 players, and several cool

electronic gadgets. Gadgets support a wide variety of other

services such as text messaging, multimedia messaging, email,

internet access, Bluetooth, business applications, games,

photography and other useful services.

Kahari (2013) stressed that cellphone is a very important

tool for study as most of the respondents used their phones for

study purposes. It is increasingly one of the most popular

information access devices and what stands out from the study is

the high use of interactive and multi user functions which can

sometimes be disruptive or beneficial during study.

In essence, the study revealed that gadgets are beneficial

for learning but learners have a tendency to abuse them. The

presence of gadgets presents a host of options and challenges for

today’s generation. Gadgets are undeniably convenient, useful and

helpful tools for study. However, it can be a source of distraction

depending on the attitude and behavior of every users.

 Similarly, Coughlan (2015) emphasized that students are always busy

sending and receiving messages while studying. As a result, they got

lower score in the quiz, performance, recitation and were less effective

at tasks such as note taking. This generation of "voracious users" might

be affected by so many online distractions. When students did not use

gadgets, they were better at being able to recall information, to be

physically and mentally awake during class hours.

In addition, he said how well young people could carry out a

task, such as watching a lecture on a video and then taking notes

and answering questions, while facing a series of interruptions on

their internet-connected gadgets. Mobiles and portable devices are

now such a pervasive part of student’s lives, how much students

could really study well while having their gadgets just by their

side.

Candidly, cellphones and laptops are great gadgets when

studying while listening to music. It would be great if they will

be going to use it wisely. Mobile phones are often described as a

major distraction for students because of its various services.

Nevertheless, it can also help them with their schedules and let

them store reminders on their school projects and lessons.

Technology has been found to have its negative impact on academic

performance on most of the students. There are many technological

gadgets to which students are addicted. They waste time using their
gadgets without worrying about their studies. This results in their

poor academic performance.

This is one of the biggest problems created by growing

technology. Youths are the future of our country and our world.

The sad thing is that due to increasing technology innovation,

students have been found going away from their moral

values. Internet is working as curse for student’s character.

Rather than using internet in productive manner, students use it

as source of adult content.

It was observed that students nowadays spend more time on

using their electronic gadgets than studying or doing various kinds

of recreational, physical and spiritual activities. Due to the

upgrade of gadgets in entertainment, students most likely focus on

what entertains them than on what may help them on their studies

for their better future.

Gadgets, from simple tools powered by electricity such as

light bulbs evolved to phones and tablets. These gadgets may

improve or it may be a distraction and a reason to fail a student's

studies or grades (Mendoza, 2012).

This scenario motivated us to conduct a study regarding the

effects of gadgets on students’ behavior and performances.