Running Head: NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC

Negative Effects of Electronic Devices to Childrens Behavior in the Pacific Island

Adrian Boy C. Tangcoy
Northern Marianas College
Research Paper
EN202-01

Author Note
This assignment was given to me from the English Composition II (EN202-01) instructor,
Dr. Kimberly Bunts-Anderson.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Table of Content
Abstract 3
Intro.. 4
Conclusion.... 6
References.7
Appendix A8
Appendix B.9

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Abstract
Today, technology is being used by everyone around the globe by every second. Children has
also had their fair share in technology as they play with iPads, laptops, and iPhones. Because
these children have access to these devices, there are times where they are not part of the society
today. In the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), children are also facing
the same situation. Some children in the Northern Marianas Islands are not as social as the other
children. Instead of playing tag, they are playing Candy Crush; instead of meeting new friends,
they add strangers on Facebook; and instead of bonding with their family, they are looking at a
screen either watching a video online, playing a video game, or chatting with a friend via Instant
Messaging. Because of these devices, even school becomes a problem to these children. The
devices become a distraction to these kids making them unable to focus on the task that is at
hand. Also, kids get bored from school because the game that they are playing is cool in their
eyes and they just cannot wait until they get home to play it. People see all these electronic
devices as a great help to society, but there are ways that they can have negative effect on
children as well.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Negative Effects of Electronic Devices to Childrens Behavior in the Pacific Island

We live in a world of technology as we know it. Phones, laptops, computers, or tablets
have become a big part of our everyday lives (Lacay, L. 2014). Everybody in the world,
including children, has access to an electronic device. Some people say that they are helpful, but
to others, they can become a nuisance. Children in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas
Islands (CNMI) are also being effected negatively by electronic devices. I conducted some
observations at bus stops in the areas of Garapan, Gualo Rai, Beach Road, Oleai, Chalan Kanoa,
and Tanapag at the time when elementary school students and middle school (Jr. High School)
students would be at the bus stop. In the CNMI, children would rather have their electronic
devices with them at all times. In doing so, it can give them some issues in their lives.
Negative Effects
Children in the CNMI think of technology as a way to play video games, chat with
people on Facebook, or watch a funny video on YouTube. They do not see electronic devices as a
bad asset to the real world because all they can think of at the moment is fun and games. That is
what the children want. The negative effects of the electronic devices can become a minor issue
at first and then become a big issue later on. An example of a minor issue would be getting
distracted easily with electronic devices. When it comes to school, students just want to get the
day over with and go home to have their fun. When they play their video game, or get a new
iPhone or iPad, they are unable to focus at the task at hand and will get bored of the work easily.
Another negative effect that electronic devices have on children is how it can make them isolate
themselves from family and friends (25 Negative Effects, 2013). They may be with friends and
family, but they are not interacting with them. This is because they are walking around in their
little world, listening to their iPods or staring at the screen of the latest mobile device (25

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Negative Effects, 2013). Lastly, children can get addicted to what electronic device they are
using. When they become addicted to their electronic device, they lose interest in doing
extracurricular activities. (Tyler, M. 2014). Children who are addicted will also want to make an
excuse to stay home to play and miss out on an event to play games, whether it is important or
not (Tyler, M. 2014).
Other Negative Effects of Electronic Devices
There are other negative effects that electronic devices have on children. These effects are
can be more intense than the effects stated previously. These are other negative effects that
electronic devices have on children:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Obesity.
Depression.
Poor sleeping habits.
Increased Bullying.
Loss of Hearing and Eyesight.
(25 Negative Effects, 2013). Technology was used to make the difficult things in life easy

to do. Electronic devices have the same purpose (i.e. messaging, gaining news online, video
calling), but children take advantage of it to the point where they get addicted to it. As they wait
for a bus to school, children can use that time to talk, play, or read. Now, students take selfies,
listen to music, or play games on their phones (Appendices A). Also, when children have
conversations with one another, they tend to listen at first. After a while, they become bored with
what they are doing and they go on their cellphone or tablet. Then before they are about to go,
they have a last say in what they were talking about and leave (Appendices B).
In conclusion, electronic devices can be of help to people, but to the children of the
CNMI, it can have negative effects on them. From being distracted from classes, to becoming an

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

addict to electronic devices, children do not have much benefit from them other than having fun
(25 Negative Effects, 2013). Also, they can become obese, they have a higher chance of being
bullied, and can become deaf or mute (25 Negative Effects, 2013). If children were to use these
electronic devices, they should be aware of what may happen to them or they should limit
themselves to how long they can use a device.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

References
25 Negative Effects of Technology. (2013, June 8). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from
http://roogirl.com/25-negative-effects-of-technology/
Lacay, L. (2014, January 9). Lorie talks texting and driving. Retrieved December 20, 2015, from
http://www.mvariety.com/special-features/mv-teen/61909-lorie-talks-texting-and-driving
Tyler, M. (2014, July 14). Video Game & Technology Addiction. Retrieved December 16, 2015,
from http://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/gaming-and-technology#Overview1

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The Appendix A Observation

6:50 AM I arrived at the bus stop of Garapan located at Paris Croissant.
7:06 AM Five students arrived with their families keeping watch of their kids.
7:10 AM More students arrived going to their respective friends, greeting each other and
having a small conversation.
7:25 AM More students (believed to be all of the students to wait for the bus) arrived doing the
same. A couple of other students looking at their phone. Student that arrived at 7:05 asks mom
for the tablet for her personal use. Some students looking at their phone, either texting or taking
selfies, while others are either staring at blank space or talking to a friend.
7:30 AM Total count of students are 28: 13 using cellphones (texting and/or taking selfies), 8
talking with their group (most likely about group project or just casual talking but checking
cellphones from time to time), 3 staring at a blank space, 3 doing homework 1 playing with
tablet.
7:35 AM Majority of students put ALL of their belonging in their bags and pockets, expecting
the bus to come soon. Slowly starting conversations again.
7:38 AM Students are talking while the 3 students are still continuing their homework. And the
student with tablet returns it to his mom.
7:43 AM Bus arrives. All students put ALL of their belongings in their bags and pockets and
line up for the bus.
7:45 AM Some students enter the bus quietly while some others enter the bus as they talk to the
person in front or in back of them.

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Appendix B Infographic Chart