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Chapter 1
Introduction

Social media is a fast-emerging platform that has changed how people

communicate and connect. Since these networking platforms are easy to use and

entertaining, they have attracted the attention of most children. Therefore, it

becomes essential to discuss the effects of social media on children. Social

media, if used wisely, is a good platform to interact, learn, communicate, and

have fun; however, if misused or excessively used, it may lead to cyberbullying,

anxiety and health problems. So, before allowing your children to access social

media, you should be aware of it’s functionalities, privacy setting and age limit.

(Bhargavi,2023)

Social media and technology have many benefits. Social media can

connect people from all over the world, allowing for global relationships and the

spread of information (Simplilearn,2023). It can also help young people find

others who share their interest and develop key 21 st century skills. Technology

can improve communication, education and access to information. However,

there are also potential downsides to social media, such as the pressure to earn

approval and compere oneself to others (Dalomba,2022). It is important to use

social media and technology responsibly and be aware of the potential risk.

An example of this were kids and teens in America who were found to be

spending more time than ever using screens and social media, with the number

of hours spent online having risen sharply during the pandemic, according to

results from a survey released Wednesday. The survey, published by the

nonprofit research organization Common Sense Media (2022), found that overall

screen use among teens and tweens increased by 17 percent from 2019 to 2021

– growing more rapidly than in the four years prior. On average, daily screen use

went up among tweens (ages 8 to 12) to five and 33 minutes from four hours

and 44 minutes, and to eight hours and 39 minutes from screen hours and 22

minutes for teens (ages 13 to 18), the increases reported by the survey are most

likely a reflection of the difficulties that families endured with school, child care

and social interaction throughout the pandemic, experts said of particular concern

to some who track screen time is an upswing in social media use among children

ages 8 to 12, on platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, even

though such platforms requires to be at least 13 because of a law that prohibits

companies from collecting data from children (Moyer, 2022).

In the national arena, the use of social media technology among children

is growing concern in the Philippines. These children tend to equate the internet

with social media, rather than viewing social media as one distinct aspect of

being online. This reflects the dominant role that social media has assume in

children world. The study also found that while many children can truly

themselves online, most children do not feel that the internet is a safe place for

them. This highlights the importance of insuring that the internet is a safe space

for children, specially in cases where children are exposed to social media and

technology at a young age (UNICEF,2020)

Meanwhile, in Development Behavioral Pediatricians in Davao City,

Philippines, called on parents to limit the use of such gadget, especially for
3

children under the age of three, because early exposure to digital media may

have a number of consequences on children behavior. Flavier, (2016) a

consultant with the southern Philippines medical centers department of

pediatrics, recommended parents to strictly control the early exposure if any

digital media to children in a press conference on Monday. The doctors firmly

support liming children access digital media throughout early development. For

instant between the ages 0 and 2 years, whether it be on television, computers,

laptops or gadgets, “She stated. Considering that” there are implication for

children having developmental disabilities, “Flavier continued,” such regulation is

expended to three years old (Rizal 2016).

This case study of children exposed to social media and technology is

important as it helps us to understand the potential risks and benefits of the

usage. While some studies have shown negative impacts on mental health and

well-being, others found positive effects such as increased physical activity and

social connections. It is crucial to continue studying this topic as technology

continues to evolve and impact your life. The research goal in “A case study of

children exposed to social media and technology” is to explore the impacts of

social media and technology of young people well -being, specifically the known

effects of social media use and communication. The study aims to examine both

side of the argument and identify the potential risks and benefits of social media

use by children and adolescents.

One research gap in the study of children exposed to social media and

technology is the lack of knowledge about how virtual and in-person interactions
4

influence the development of young children’s social skills and sense of self.

While there is some knowledge about older children in this regard, the evolution

of social media makes it increasingly relevant for younger children. Another gap

is the need for further study on the influence of media exposure on young

children’s relationships with their peers, parents attentions to their cellphones and

tablet is a predictive cue for their infant’s development.

There is a need for more research on the overuse of digital play at home

among young children. Additionally, the influences of media exposure on young

children’s relationships with their peers, parents, families, and communities also

demands further research. Furthermore, there is a need to explore the effects of

social media on children’s behavior, including addiction, misperception of body

images, and mental health. Therefore, more research is needed to understand

the impact of social media and technology on children’s developmental and well-

being.

Purpose of this Study

The purpose of this study on the children exposed to social media and

technology is to understand the extent of their engagement with digital devices,

the impact of screen time on their lives, and the potential risks and benefits

associated with their use of social media platforms. The study also aims to

explore parental concerns, attitudes and, experiences related to their children’s

use of technology. Additionally, it seeks to provide guidance for parents on how

to help their children develop healthy social media habits, maintain privacy and

autonomy, and navigate the challenges associated with online risks.

Research Questions

This research aims to answer the following question:

1. What are the experience of children with constant use of social media?

2. What are the struggles encountered the children exposed to social media

and their parent in controlling/parenting their children in using social

media?

3. What insights can be gained from the experiences of constant use of

technology and social media?

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

One theory that provides a solid background knowledge of “The case

study of children exposed to social media and technology” is the cognitive

development theory by Piaget that featured by (Cherry, 2022). According to

Piaget, children though four stage of cognitive development: The sensory motor

stage the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal

operational stage in the sensory motor stage (Birth to 2 years), children learn

through their senses and motor skills. In the preoperational stage (2 to 7 years),

children develop symbolic and language skills. In the concrete operational stage

(7 to 12 years), children develop logical thinking and ability to understand

concrete events. In the formal operational stage (12 and up), children develop

abstract thinking and ability to reason hypothetically. This theory is relevant to the

case study of children exposed to social media and technology because it helps

us to understand how children at different stages of cognitive development may

interact with and be affected to technology. For example, younger children in

sensory motor and preoperational maybe more likely to engaged in passive

screen time, while older children in the concrete operational in format operational

stages maybe more likely to use technology for social interaction and learning.

Understanding this developmental stages can help parents and educators make

informed decision about how to introduce technology to children and how to

monitor their use (Cherry,2022).

Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of the study. Social media has

evolved from a flatform for virtual community to vital tool for communication and

marketing. The rise of smartphones and advances in digital technology have

contributed to the growth of social media, marketing it more accessible and user-

friendly.
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Importance of the Study

The findings of this study may become valuable to a lot of individuals and

institutions. Firstly, children because understanding the impact of social media

and technology on their development can help them make informed decisions

about their online activities and maintain a healthy balance between digital and

real-life experiences. Secondly, parents because being aware of the potential

benefits and risks associated with their children’s exposure to social media and

technology can enable them to provide better guidance, support, and

supervision, ensuring a safer and more positive online experiences

for their kids. Thirdly, future researchers because this study can serve as a

foundation further exploration into the complex relationship between children,

social media and technology, contributing to the development of new knowledge,

policies, and interventions aimed at promoting the well-being of young digital

users.

Delimitations and Limitations of the study

This study is only delimited to 3 children age 3-16 in Lasang, Davao City.

However, children with pre-existing health conditions or developmental disorder

will be not included in the study. Additionally, children who had limited access to

technology or social media were also excluded. The study aimed to provide a

comprehensive understanding to the impact of social media and technology on

children mental health and academic performances. While the study’s finding are

limited to the three children involve, they provide valuable insight into effects of
9

technology on children’s live. Further research is needed to explore the long-term

effects of social media and technology on children’s development well-being.

Definition of Terms

To have a common understanding of the key terms use in the study the

following terms are operationally defined:

Social Media is the collective term for website and application that focus

on communication, community-based input, interaction, content sharing and

collaboration. People use social media to stay in touch and interact with friends,

family, and various communities.

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims

of human life or, as it is sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of

the human environment.

Review of Related Literature

The use of social media and technology as become increasing prevalent

in today’s society, with children being expose to it at a younger age. Social media

has evolved from a flatform for virtual community to vital tool for communication

and marketing. The rise of smartphones and advances in digital technology have

contributed to the growth of social media, marketing it more accessible and user-
10

friendly (Thurairatnam 2021). As a result, social media has integral part of daily

life for many people, including children. This review of literature aims to explore

the effects of social media and technology on children.

Technological advances have had a significant impact on social media.

One of the biggest impact is that it helps visualize the entire experience

(Thurairatnam 2021). Technologies such as augmented reality and artificial

intelligence are driving the future of social media, making it more interactive and

engaging (Saxena,2022). However, this technologies also raise concerns about

privacy and security, especially for children.

A systematic review of 20 studies found that use of social media was

associated with body image concerns and disordered eating. (Holland,2016). The

nature of social media interactions, which are arm’s length, makes negative

commenting both easy and more frequent that in person interactions with peers.

An Ontario survey of needle-and high school student showed that the ads odds

of suicidal ideation, plans attempts were all significantly higher among those who

had experienced cyberbullying, even after controlling for range of potential

confounders.

The use of technology and social media among children has both positive

and negative effects. On the positive side, technology and social media can help

children to connect with each other, allowing them to stay in touch with friends

and family, even when they are far apart. Technology can also be used to access

educational resources and to help with research. Additionally, social media can
11

help children express their creativity, communicate their thoughts and feelings,

and build their self-esteem (Livingstone and Blum-Ross 2020).

On the negative side, excessive use of technology and social media can

lead to physical health issues, such as poor posture, headaches, and eyestrain.

Additionally, increased screen time can lead to sleep deprivation and a lack of

exercise. Technology and social media can also lead to cyberbullying, online

predators, and sexting. Finally, it can be difficult for children to distinguish fact

from fiction on the internet, leading to a lack of critical thinking and an inability to

separate truth from untruth.

Lupton and Maslen (2019) stated that technology and social media have

been a major part of our daily lives and it has changed the way we communicate

and interact. It has also impacted the way children live and learn. Technology can

serve as a tool to help children develop their creativity, explores various topics of

interest, and learn new skills. Social media can help to create a more supportive

and accepting environment for children, as they are exposed to different cultures,

ideas, and perspective (Stavridou et al. 2020).

The internet also exposes children to inappropriate content, cyberbullying,

and online predators. Additionally, the use of technology and social media can

limit physical activity and face-to-face interactions, which can have a negative

impact on social skills and relationships (Twenge 2019).

To ensure that children are using technology and social media safely and

responsibly, it is important to set clear rules and expectations. It encourages

them to engage in physical activities and spend time with family and friends

(Abbas et al. 2019). Finally, it is important to educate children about the risks

associated with technology and social media teach them how to use it safely and

responsibly.

It is important to ensure the children are using it safely and responsibly,

Parents should be involved in their children’s online activities and set clear

expectations and limits. It is also important to educate children about the risk and

associated with technology and social media and teach them how to use it safely

and responsibly (Lievens et al. 2018).

Chapter 2

Methodology

Research design

To conduct this, we will employ the case study. This method involves an

in-depth exploration of a particular phenomenon within its real-life context, which

can provide a detailed understanding of the experiences of the participants. The

study can involve interviewing children and their parents to understand their

social media and technology usage patterns and the impact of such usage on

their lives and their perceptions of the risks of benefits associated with it. The

study can also involve observing the children’s behavior while using social media

and technology and analyzing the content they consume.

The research design of a qualitative case study of case study exposed to

social media and technology can be informed by existing studies on children’s

digital media use. One such study is a qualitative study on children’s digital

media use and parents self interest. The study use a qualitative to obtained new

and detailed information about how parents deal with their children’s digital media

use out of self-interest and play a role in this. The study provides insights into the

role of parents self-interest in digital media use of children and different age

groups. The study findings suggest that when parent self-interest is the motivate

for allowing to use digital media, this might pose an increased risk to the healthy

development of youth (Geurts, Koning, Vossen, Eijden 2021).

Research participants

The participants of this study are children aged 3 to 16 years old, with a

focus on those who have been exposed to social media and technology. The

reasons for choosing this age range are to examine the effects of early exposure

to digital devices and to understand the role of parents in managing their

children's digital media use. This age range also allows for the exploration of
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differences in digital media use and its effects on children at various

developmental stages.

Participants are selected using criterion sampling, to use the criterion

sampling technique in a study of children exposed to social media and

technology, you would first need to identify a specific criterion of importance

related to the research question. This criterion should be clearly articulated and

relevant to the phenomenon of interest, such as children's age, their level of

exposure to digital devices, or their engagement with social media platforms.

Once the criterion is established, you would systematically review and select

cases that meet the criterion. This process ensures that the study focuses on

participants who can provide rich and relevant data about the effects of social

media and technology exposure on children. By using criterion sampling, you can

ensure that your study focuses on the most relevant and information-rich cases,

which can help identify major system weaknesses or areas for improvement in

terms of children's exposure to digital devices and social media.

Data collection

The initial stage of the data collection will be the approval of proposed

study. The approval means that we are cleared to conduct the study using the

universally accepted measures and internationally acknowledge ethical

standards. The collection of data is done through in person interview of

participants at the A.L Navarro Elementary School with the consent of the

participants/s. The researcher will use the interview guide question duly approved
15

by the panel members while, some members of the group will transcribe the data

collected from participants.

Data analysis

Data analysis in qualitative research consist preparing and organizing the

data for analysis, reducing the data into themes through a process of coding and

condensing the codes, and finally representing the data into figures, tables or a

discussion (Creswel, 2013). In the analysis of this research, we will employ

coding of the names of the person. We will assigned them with specific codes

such a “ Mr …”, and “ Ms… to ensure anonymity of these people and to save

them from embarrassment or humiliation of the public specially of this study will

be published. This is also done to achieved ethical consideration of the people

involved in the study.

Trustworthiness of the study

Lincoln and Guba (1985) Postulated that trustworthiness of a research

study is important of evaluating is worth. There are four criteria that should be

considered in the present of trustworthiness of study: (internal validity):

transferability (external validity/ generalizability, dependability (reliability) : and

confirmability (objectivity) (Guba as cited by Shenton, 2003).

Role of the researcher

Background qualifications and experiences of the researcher are very

important in qualitative research as it is the person who is the major instrument of

data collection and analysis (Lincoln and Guba, 1998). As researcher, we will

interview the participants using the approved guide questions and transcribe

them carefully for the purpose of analysis to generate themes.

Ethical consideration

Research ethics deals primarily with the interaction between researchers

and the people they study. This means whenever research is conducted on

people, the wellbeing of research participants must be the top priority. In this

study, ethical consideration was done by ensuring that the participant’s profiles

are hold with strict confidentiality at the course of this study.

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