TAMILNADU THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, ARASADARI –625016

THESIS PROPOSAL

TITLE: SMART PHONE ADDICTION AMONG CHILDREN:

EVOLVING CONSCIENTISATION PROGRAME FOR THE CHURCH

Name: Lulun Kipgen

Communication

Student ID: AB412319

Statement of problem
Children between the age of 8 and 13 seem to be addicted to smartphones, without knowing
the repercussion of using it. Hence this research is to understand the level of smartphone
addiction among the children, and then plan for strategies to educate through awareness and
media education programs in the church.

Elaboration of the problem

New equipments like i- or android cellular telephone, the i-pad or tablet have altered both the
time available to us for web access and the means by which we enter its space and
connections. As the use of smart phones and tablets skyrocketed, the ability to write, take
photographs and make videos and circulate it around the world instantaneously without any
constrains, unconsciously and even consciously. Smartphones have become the most
important gadget to our present days, and there are positive and negative effects the
smartphone brought to us. Since smartphones have a wide range of functionality, they require
advanced software, similar to a computer operating system. The smartphone software handles
phone calls, runs applications, and provides configuration options for the user. Most
smartphones include a USB connection, which allows users to sync data with their computers
and update their smartphone software.

Children between the age of 8 to 13 are seen as a period "of transition from the dependence
of childhood to adulthood's independence and awareness of our interdependence as members
of a community. When a child’s brain is developing it is important for them to interact with
other people and with nature. Staring down into a screen does not facilitate the development
of the nuances of communication, such as facial expression and the emotional parts of
language. While the literature on smart screen technology is new and somewhat limited,
when children spend time looking at screens rather than real human faces. Screen time is
another way to be alone, mentally away from your family and other social and emotional
development. This group tries to find new identity in the society and on the other hand they
are lure by the modern technology like smartphone. Overusing the product in such a fashion
is the main reason people are becoming addicted. Which means high degree of likeness
towards a particular things and addiction to smart phones is habitual compulsion to engage in
technology, these can interfere with work, school and relationship. When more time is spend
on smart phone, playing games it has negative consequences in our life. Such as increasing
loneliness and depression, increasing stress, feeling anxiety, diminishing the ability to
concentrate and think deeply or creatively and disturbing sleep.

Promoting understanding of how Smart phones work, how they affect the lives of the
Children and how to use smart phones wisely includes differentiating among the values,
messages and meaning of life as espoused by the Church. Hence, the Church should design a
curriculum of conscientizing the children about the dangers of smart phones and also to help
parents to carefully handle their children.

Methodology

The researcher will employ the study of the WACC principle that is communication builds
and shapes community as the methodology in this research. Communication helps people at
all levels to communicate, empower them to recognise important issues and find common
grounds for action, and builds a sense of identity and participation in order to implement their
decisions. 

Importance of the research

Digital media addiction is one of the crucial issues in our present society especially to the
children in kuki society, the traditional baby sitter are replace by digital media like mobile
phone etc. therefore the purpose of the research is to give awareness to the impact of social
media and place an antidote for the children with digital media addiction.

Scope and limitation of the research

The researcher will confine the research on smart phones addiction: evolving conscientisation
programmes for the church particularly kuki community in Kangpokpi district Manipur.
Previous research
Some research have been done on digital media addiction or online addiction from different
communities. But as far as the research knowledge is concerned this will be the first attempt
made on the topic “smart phones addictions of children: evolving conscientisation
programme for the church.
Method of research
The method of data collection will be based on focus group and questionnaire method and the
findings will be given in tables and chats. The researcher will also make use of the entire
available source such as books, journals, articles, online-sources and other authentic research
work.
1. Tentative outline
Introduction
Chapter one: Smart phone: origin and growth
Chapter two: Smart phone and children: usages and abuse
Chapter three: Smart phones addiction and kuki children: Field studies and analysis
Chapter four: Children and smart phones addiction: reflection on child theology
Conclusion

Select Bibliography

Add Paulo Friere’s book The Pedagogy of the Oppressed……..

Write books in alphabetical order