CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In today’s generation, due to advancement of technology, it has become common for

infants, toddlers, young children or even the teenagers to be exposed to electronics such as

televisions, computers, and videogames. The use of all these are indeed addictive and most of the

time, parents are finding it difficult to control their children as they are way too busy with

different electronic gadgets. However, these are all helpful in our daily lives but the excessive

use of it has definitely negative impact to us.

According to Kim (2018) electronic gadgets such as video games, television, computers,

PSP games, phone apps, mobile phones, and tablets are particularly electronic devices that

require a form of electric power to operate. Basically, these devices were generated due to

modernization and technological development. It is mostly used by the young people and

children and these electronic devices are targeted at these age brackets. Besides, Watsons (2015)

believes that making our lives easier is one of the biggest advantages of electronic devices but it

is blamed mostly for social issues that are happening in our society. Children and teenagers are

generally vulnerable to the social issues associated with phones and other gadgets that connect to

the internet. In addition, there is a growing concern that excessive dependence on electronic

gadgets can lead to technical addiction.

First, the terms “aggression” and “violence” as understood by behavioral scientists must

be clarified. According to Anderson et al. (2017) aggression is a hostile behavior towards another

and violence is a very serious form of aggression that has the potential to produce severe

physical harm, such as injury or death, to another. Specifically, not all aggressive behavior is
violent, but all violent behavior is aggressive. According to the American Academy of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry (2018) there is a great concern about the incidence of violent behavior

among children and adolescents and this complex and troubling issue needs to be carefully

understood by parents, teachers, and other adults.

As said by Jahan and Khan (2017), seeing is a terribly powerful means of learning and

doing. Media, particularly TV plays a major role in creating or destroying human beings

especially the younger generation. Therefore, effective guardianship and parenting must be

guarantee for the sake of the children. Checking the children’s access to any violent behavior

either on TV or web site is a must because the media that market the violent TV shows, or even

web site programs sometimes neglect the truth that any type of violence exert negative influence

on the society in general and school going particularly children.

Nowadays, the most common reason which causes an individual to have violent behavior

is because of the addiction on electronic gadgets. Anderson et al. (2017) stated that this violent

behavior happens when there is a too much exposure on screen entertainment media that caused

to increased aggressive thoughts, angry feelings, physiologic arousal, hostile appraisals,

aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, decreases pro social behavior (helping others,

sharing, cooperating, etc.) and empathy.

However, the use of electronic gadgets today is so much a part of our daily life. Besides

its useful purposes, every gadget has also negative effects on over exposure to the devices and

gadgets when it comes to physical, mental and emotional aspects.

According to Krishnan et al. (2017) electronic devices are often used by young people

but lack of awareness is commonly given to the health risk they create, particularly when it

comes to our eyes, due to the radiation from the screen devices. This radiation surely affects

human internal part like brain, nerves, eyes and ears that causes cancer but several users don't

understand this, that they are surrounded by the technologies that produces radiation within the

same radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Furthermore, Ghosh (2019) emphasized that staying awake late at night together with

your smartphone, portable computer or tablet can cause sleepless nights due to the radiation from

the gadgets that interrupts the production of sleep hormone. Moreover, improper sleep among

adolescents and young adults can cause obesity because the sleep hormone melatonin, hunger

hormones ghrelin and leptin altered which affects your craving and let you to consume high-

calorie foods. This will increase the chance of having belly fat.

Mental Aspects

With regard to Dunckley (2014) addiction aside, a much broader concern that begs

awareness is the risk that screen time is creating subtle damage even in children with “regular”

exposure. (Rideout 2010). Based on the observation, children suffer from sensory overload, lack

of restorative sleep, and a hyper aroused nervous system, regardless of diagnosis—which is

known as electronic screen syndrome. Furthermore, the American Academy of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry stated that extreme time spent playing computer games can prompt

enduring scholarly execution, lessened wellbeing, and poor social abilities, and there is proof that
guardians might need to be cautious about the media they enable children to devour. (Flanagan

2016)

Emotional Aspects

According to Tanwar (2016), adolescents spend most of their time watching television,

movies, playing videogames and on the internet. Media violence poses a threat to public health

as much as it leads to an increase in real-world violence and aggression. In recent times we have

noticed that media violence and violent video games have had a very negative impact on children

and their day to day behavior. As stated by Pandika (2016), digital media use can produce a

drug-like effect, felt at any age but most intensely during the teen years.In 2010, researchers

found that kids who logged more than two hours a day in front of a computer or TV screens had

a higher chance of psychological difficulties on a standard questionnaire. Studies in young men

show that playing violent video games is linked to more aggression and less sensitivity to others.

It’s unclear how quickly or easily the brain returns to a “normal” state after you stop playing

video games, Dunckley says. On the other hand, games that reward cooperation and support can

lower stress, boost mood, and promote helping behaviors.

Recent research has shown that connections between children playing violent video

games can cause later aggressive behavioral problems. The type of faulty thinking creates

stressors in children which can lead to the onset of many different symptoms.  Children who

view media violence are more likely to have increased feelings of hostility, decreased emotional

response to the portrayal of violence and injury that lead to violent actions.

In accordance with Fitzpatrick (2018), with more access, children are more likely to be

exposed to violent content – like real-life or cartoons where force is being used and harm is
being done to a person or character. Teachers rated exposed children as more antisocial.

Antisocial behaviors include; a lack of remorse, lying, insensitivity to the emotions of others, and

manipulating others. Our results also reveal significant associations between exposure to violent

media and classroom attention problems. Furthermore, exposed children were reported to show

more signs of emotional distress; in terms of sadness and a lack of enthusiasm. The results were

similar for boys and girls.

However, Knorr (2015) conclude that violence is literally everywhere: in video games,

movies, books, music videos, and cartoons, on the nightly news and the Web, and even in

commercials. And it's becoming harder to avoid.

According to Carlos (2017) it's convenient for parents to simply play a DVD or stream a

video online, however parents have to dial this down. Parents must be careful especially on their

children who has innocent mind. Children has inquisitive brain because of their curiosity. It is

better for the parents to interact and explain what information from media wants to imply

because once the children think on their own it may be risky because they may believe it until

they grow up.

Moreover, socio-emotional development will improve when there is actual interaction.

The more you spend meaningful time with your child, the less he/she will choose gadgets over

you. Although the gadgets can really keep the child engaged for a considerable amount of time,

creating the bond between parent and child is more beneficial.

Synthesis

Technology is an important aspects of our lives. It is constantly improving, spreading and

the results of it are indeed helpful. It has different benefits and effects among people especially
to students. Further, modern technologies helps us to live easier than before from household up

to communicating to other people.

As the years past, students become the top users of technologies and used it in different

way such as; gaining new knowledge, communicating to other people, spreading news and

information, making fun by playing video or online games, etc. Student became violent due to so

much exposure to screen entertainment media that causes increased aggressive thoughts, angry

feelings, physiologic arousal, aggressive behaviour and desensitization to violence. As they

spend more time on playing mobile or computer games, their brain may corrupt that result to

changing behaviour until it affects their daily lives and people around them. Students

experienced aggressive behaviour not only because of computer o mobile games but also in

televisions, film and internet through the content of those. Most of them contain harassment,

violence, strong parental guidance, horror, massacre, and abusing actions that may adapt by the

innocent mind of students.

On-screen violence is a type of violence which deals with the excessive use of screen

devices. It affects physical, mental and emotional well-being of the students. It is more risky

once they couldn't control their self from time to time exposure to electronic gadgets. Students

can experience physical changes such as gaining weight due to improper taking of foods and

gradually having blurry vision.

Technologies are everywhere, we cannot stop the advancement of it. However, being an

excessive user has high possibility of having a mental and emotional effect such as;

psychological difficulties. Recent study show that playing violent video games is linked to more

aggression or aggressive behavioural problems and less sensitivity to others.

meaningful time with the family and lastly, having awareness is a must for them so that the

serious stage of it can be prevented.

Related Studies

As said by Ihnan et al. (2016) in their study, screen time media has become a common

leisure activity for several families. It is outlined throughout the literature as media accessed

through television, cell phones, DVDs, computers, and video games. Nevertheless, television

continues to be the most commonly used type of media and cell phones and tablets are fastly

becoming second into overall usage (Barr &Lerner 2014). Moreover, Katherine Lynn DeWeese

(2014) emphasize that screen time doesn’t mean just a simple amount of time spend in front of

the television. It's currently a combination of time spent on smartphones, computers or

multitasking with different devices.

According to Jyoti Ranjan Muduli (2014) recently, each different day, information

technology or IT invents profitable gadgets that are attracting the eye of this generation. As a

vulnerable group, the youth becomes the largest purchaser of such devices and services which

makes them addicted in turn in some point of time. Addiction is the continued repetition of a

behavior or associate activity independent upon the adverse or negative consequences of the

identical (Angres & Angres 2008) or it can be a medicine impairments that ends up in such

behaviors (American Society for Addiction medicine, 2012).

However, the excessive use of this can lead to psychological problems such as insomnia,

irritability and depression. When they are experiencing stress, they chose often what will comfort

to them, usually something easy to focus on such as online videos or social media sites.
Furthermore, also stated by DeWeese (2014) being psychologically unhealthy can lead to a more

serious and it can affect the potential as a human being. Mental illness is defined as the stage of

having severe and distressing psychological symptoms to the extent that normal functioning is

seriously hampered. In her study, people who used technology devices eagerly are more likely to

experience exhibit signs of psychological disorders such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive

disorder, attention deficit disorder and depression which are the most commonly displayed

(Rosen et al. 2012). Besides, the use of digital media can affect our lifestyle especially on sleep.

The exposure of electronic media in children and adolescents and the existence of media device

in the bedroom is probable with later bedtimes and shorter sleep duration. (Shochat, 2012, p. 23).

It has also been analyzed that exposure to digital media might cause alerting effects due to the

suppression of melatonin because of the light from electronic screens. Also, sleep disruption

involves physiological delay in circadian sleep/wake rhythm as well as mental and cognitive

excitement (Shochat, 2012, p. 23). Kremer, Elshaug, Leslie, Toumbourou, Patton and Williams

(2012) found that excessive use of screen devices can bring depressive symptoms. As found, this

might be partially due to children having bigger vulnerability to negative socio-cognitive

outcomes from screen use, where there are less opportunities for social connectedness, problem

solving and development. Also, children might be susceptible to physiological responses of

arousal of the central nervous system which involves negative effects on sleep patterns if there is

a high rates of screen time (Kremer et al., 2012).

In the recent past, experiments revealed that exposure to media violence can bring major

health problems among individuals including children for instance blood pressure and increased

heartbeat (Anderson & Bushman, 2002). Further, recent research has shown that exposure to
media violence causes both children and adults to have more aggressive manner that will affect

the person hereafter.

Therefore, Muduli (2014) stated that changes in the scientific world are indeed fast.

Being consistent along with the change is definitely a challenging task. Hence, one must learn

how to exercise control and to distinguish what is important and what is not important at a time.

Knowledge management, time management and setting the priorities of life should guide our

behavior in using the technological gadgets and services. Lastly, the use of any product should

be necessity driven rather than luxury driven, so that we can derive maximum pleasure and

happiness.

Synthesis

Based on the data provided above, the researchers have clearly proven that screen time or

media time is very common to be a leisure activity for the family. Watching movies, playing

computer games, and other visual content are always included in the bonding time of the family.

This manifest that screen media is a big hit not only inside a small family rather almost all the

people in the world are engaged in this addictive media. Having a lot of demand from this

situation Information Technology or IT is creating more gadgets to be used by the people.

Watching movies, playing video games, and viewing videos are indeed a fun thing to do.

It gives us happiness and contentment in some other way. But this activity will always have its

own negative impact and precautions. There are a lot of disadvantages brought by on-screen

media. It can affect our physical, mental, emotional and even our spiritual aspects when we let

the negative side of it engulf ourselves. On-screen Media can affect an individual’s lifestyle with

the following health issues: Mental illness includes insomnia, irritability and depression; sleep
deprivation, especially on teenagers who are addicted in screen media; it causes lack of sleep; to

be followed by negative socio-cognitive outcomes from screen use, where there are less

opportunities for social connectedness, problem solving and development.

So this concludes that media or on-screen violence when not controlled can lead to an

aggressive type of behavior. Hopingly, every parents or guardian educate their child regarding

this matter. Pay attention on things that are more important rather than the things that you want

to do. Further, having knowledge and time management will help you set your priorities. The last

sentence from the last paragraph means “you should not abuse the use of a product unless it is

essential to your needs, don’t get intimidated by luxury items”.

https://edgearticles.com/2018/07/09/essay-on-electronic-gadgets-meaning-advantages-and-

disadvantages/ site-kim

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/advantages-disadvantages-of-electronic-gadgets book-

watson

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2/S142 book-anderson et al

https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/Understanding-

Violent-Behavior-In-Children-and-Adolescents-055.aspx site-American Academy of Child and

Adolescent Psychiatry.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321146113_THE_EFFECT_OF_VIOLENCE_IN_ME

DIA_ON_THE_SCHOOL_STUDENTS_AN_EXPLORATORY_STUDY?

fbclid=IwAR2oULA2SoX2-l58Q4MP1RSbe4cmVdRP3BO8ntAVdZwYUS32BT6ZfZkZ6Fs

journal-khan & jahan

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2/S142 book-anderson et al

http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.mm.20170701.05.html article-krishnan
https://www.boldsky.com/health/wellness/2014/harmful-effects-of-electronic-gadgets-on-health-

039104.html site-ghosh

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-wealth/201402/gray-matters-too-much-

screen-time-damages-the-brain site-dunkley

https://www.romper.com/p/on-screen-violence-negatively-impacts-childrens-mental-health-

study-finds-15487 site-flanagan

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320244728_Impact_of_Media_Violence_on_Children'

s_Aggressive_Behaviour site-tanwar

https://www.rallyhealth.com/health/screen-time-affects-health?

fbclid=IwAR1zqejlWtnXfWI8YjLhNj8HvpzK7oPhyKE-HLg3CGyas-_TF4NRdkiwjJA site-

pandika

https://theconversation.com/watching-violence-on-screens-makes-children-more-emotionally-

distressed-106757 site-fitzpatrick

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/tips-on-how-to-deal-with-media-violence site-knorr

https://wehavekids.com/parenting/How-To-Prevent-Gadget-Addiction-in-Children- site- carlos

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1009&context=cfs_etds Starred Paper

Committee Jane Minnema, Chairperson Marc Markell Karin Ihnen

https://scholar.dominican.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=masters-theses

Katherine Lynn DeWeese

http://ethesis.nitrkl.ac.in/5544/1/e-thesis_19.pdf muduli

https://scholar.dominican.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=masters-theses

Katherine Lynn DeWeese

http://ethesis.nitrkl.ac.in/5544/1/e-thesis_19.pdf muduli