I.

Background of the Study

For people all over the world, a gadget is an important device that has become a need.

According to Tal and Torous (2017), the rapid advancement of modern technology in the era of

technological gadgets has resulted in the current generation Z revolutionizing modern media

(Gen Z). Previously, the usage of gadgets was only confined to experts, but now, especially

among Gen Z, it is normal for more and more people to be able to own these devices because

they are readily available and cheaply priced. The use of devices has expanded as a result of

rapid technological breakthroughs. Smartphones are becoming more and more popular. In recent

years, it has become more common among the general public, especially youngsters. It is now

well known that prolonged use of electronic gadgets has a negative impact on a person's health,

posing health hazards. Electronic devices like cellphones, tablets, computers, and other

electronic devices pose a danger to the existing social infrastructure.

For the purposes of this study, the term "gadget" refers to a variety of wireless-enabled

portable electronic gadgets, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, gaming consoles, and

any other wireless-enabled device. The use of gadgets is a problem because it has a negative

impact on one's health. As a result of this, many health complications, such as eye strain, have

been recorded. Some of the symptoms include backaches, neck pain, and sleep problems, to

name a few. There are negative physiological repercussions, as well as effects on the mind, body,

and soul, depending on how much time you spend on devices.

The impact of technology on human health has piqued a lot of people's interest. Because

hand-held mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band, organizations

such as the World Health Organization and the IEEE Committee on Human and Radiation
(COMAR) have serious public safety concerns about exposure of people to the radio frequency

(RF) and microwave (MW) fields. The physical and psychological repercussions of using

electronic devices are rapidly escalating.

Overuse of ST devices and its effects on people's health, both physical and psychological,

have been the subject of several studies. Neck/shoulder and lower-back pain, headaches, vision

issues, and obesity have all been linked to the usage of ST devices. Individuals' movement is

restricted by the use of ST devices, especially for toddlers and teenagers. According to experts,

this is one of the factors that contributes to the epidemic of childhood obesity. Screen time was

found to be positively associated with sleep disruptions (length and timing) among school-aged

children and adolescents, according to a systematic review. Sleep difficulties were also linked to

age, gender, kind of screen exposure, and the day of the week (Buabas, et al, 2020).

Rashid and Mannan (2021) conducted a cross-sectional study titled "Prevalence and

Impact of the Use of Electronic Gadgets on the Health of Children in Secondary Schools in

Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study" which found that socio-demographic determinants and

factors often influence the excessive use of gadgets.

Human life has become replete with gadgets. The use of devices has expanded as a result

of rapid technological breakthroughs. Smartphones are becoming more and more popular. In

recent years, it has become more common among the general public, especially youngsters. It is

now well known that prolonged use of electronic gadgets has a negative impact on a person's

health, posing health hazards. Electronic devices like cellphones, tablets, computers, and other

electronic devices pose a danger to the existing social infrastructure. For the purposes of this

study, the term "gadget" refers to a variety of wireless-enabled portable electronic gadgets,
including smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, gaming consoles and any other wireless-enabled

device (Rashid, 2021).

During the COVID 19 Pandemic, according to Aruna Tyagi (2021), people are highly

dependent on mobile phones. Cell phones have become a vital part of everyone's life during a

lockdown as a result. People earn a living by arranging work from home for online teaching and

learning, online meetings, official work, and online transaction processing using their mobile

phones to do it. Software solutions like Zoom, Webex, Skype, Google Meet, GoTo Meet, and

others have improved online classrooms, webinars, seminars, and conferences. During a

lockdown or containment time, some people use their phones for extended periods of

entertainment, such as watching movies, playing games, or surfing social media sites, to relieve

boredom, which may disrupt normal brain functioning. In comparison to pre-pandemic levels,

cell phone usage has skyrocketed as a result of individuals staying at home. The biological

system is harmed by electromagnetic radiation. A person's general well-being is affected by

prolonged use of mobile phones. Headaches and musculoskeletal difficulties have been

documented as physiological impacts. Depression and changed cognitive behavior are examples

of psychological disorders that have been documented.

Because of the multiple benefits of smart technology (ST) gadgets, children and

teenagers are becoming the most frequent users. Overuse of ST devices, on the other hand, might

be harmful to one's health. As a result, the goal of this study was to look into the usage of ST

devices among students and the health risks that could come with it. Also, there is no quite

similar studies on the subject of the present study have been done so far. Therefore, this study

seeks to examine the effect of the use of gadgets on the health of the Grade 11 PBMS students of

John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod.

The main objective of this study is to determine the effects of the use of gadgets towards

the health of the Grade 11 PBMS students at John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod

during the school year 2021-2022.

III. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

On the one hand, technology affects communication by making it easier, quicker, and

more efficient. It allows you to track conversations and therefore provide better customer

service. Tech also makes it easier to gather customer insights and improve the entire customer

experience.

Overall, in terms of the relationship between screen use and both physical and mental

health outcomes, there have been several studies that suggest higher levels of screen use in

children and adolescents is associated with reduced physical activity, increased risk of

depression, and lower well-being.

Negative Effects

a.) Bad Posture, Back Aches, Neck and Shoulder Strain

b.) Pain in Wrists — Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

c.) Eye Strain

d.) Headaches

e.) Stress
f.) Physical Fatigue

g.) Poor Sleep Patterns

h.) Obesity

i.) Compromised Immunity

Excessive use of gadgets among youth during a time of stress is a growing threat as

well . There has been an established relationship between excessive internet use and loneliness,

antisocial values, lower emotional intelligence and depression . Social media, video calls and

virtual meetings are being used extensively for various purposes during the lockdown .

Studies have shown that too many gadgets may negatively affect a child's brain on its

functioning, and may even cause attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, increased

impulsivity, and decreased ability to self-regulate.

IV. Significance of the Study

The following are the primary benefits not only for specific responders but also for other

concerned groups of individuals:

1. Teacher. This study will help teachers to restrict their students from using their gadgets and

this will raise awareness among teachers to guide students in how to use the gadget.

2. Students. This study will help students to know-how gadgets can affect their health and this

can give them an awareness of their screen time limits.

their child’s health. Parents would probably know how to discipline and limit their children in

using their gadgets.

4. Future and Other Researchers. The study is helpful for other researchers who are doing similar

research. They could use the variables utilized by this research with other groups of respondents,

and in other localities.

V. Definition of Terms

For a better understanding of the study, the following terms are defined in the context of

this research:

Effect. This refers to the impact of gadgets on the respondents in their health.

Gadget. As defined by Mahbubur Rashid (2021), this term is used in this study to

designate portable electronic devices that fall into the following categories: smartphones, tablets,

laptops, computers, gaming consoles or any other wireless-enabled device.

Health. Refers to the physical or mental illness of the respondents.

Student. Refers to a person who is enrolled and studying in John B. Lacson Colleges

Foundation-Bacolod.