Empower

ment
Technolog
ies
ABM 101
Submitted by:
Ma. Jenalyn B. Regacho
 Submitted to:
MA’Am Mary Grace Bayao

SOCIAL ISSUE #1
SOCIAL ISSUE/PROBLEM: Depression/Suicide Prevention
PROBABLE CAUSE: Bullying, Parental and Peer Pressure
VICINITY AND PERSON/PEROPLE INVOLVED: Philippines; Teenagers
TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA USED: Social Networking Sites
WHAT WILL BE THE CONTENT OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITE?

One in every 10 Filipinos between 15 and 24 years old are depressed. Over 4.2
million depression cases in the Philippines were reported by WHO in 2004. Only
1 of 3 depressives seek help.
Nowadays, the rate of teenage
depression and suicide cases are
very alarming. The teen years are
often very stressful, with a transition
from carefree child to responsible
adult. They are facing new social
situations, which might include
bullying, their first serious
relationships, an exploration of
sexuality, rejection, changes in
friendships, and upheavals with
family members. Add in constantly
changing hormones, which might
spark depression or similar issues,
and you have a few tough years.
Some teens might suffer from even more tenuous situations. This might include those who are
dealing with their first serious breakup, questions of sexual orientation, the challenging of their
religious beliefs, issues with body image, and changes in social circles, low self-esteem, and
introductions to drugs or alcohol.
People who suffer from severe depression may be at risk of suicide. Although suicide cannot be
predicted or prevented with certainty, knowing the warning signs can help you recognize when
you or a loved one may be at risk. The most effective way to try to prevent suicide is to
recognize the warning signs, respond immediately, and treat underlying causes of suicide such
as depression.
According to learnpsychology.org, these are the warning signs (also indicators of depression):
  An inability to concentrate (which might be reflected in plummeting grades)
 Extreme personality changes
 Frequent physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomach pain
 Self-harm or injury, such as “cutting”
 Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
When you are trying to figure out how to ask for help, there are some things you should
remember:
 You are not a bad person. 
Everyone deals with overwhelming emotion and difficult situations during their lifetime.
Responding to these situations with feelings of suicide does not make you a bad person. It does
not make you weak. Rather, it proves that you are in a situation that is too much to handle, and
that you need help in order to deal with it. Getting that help means you are strong, brave, and
willing to do what it takes to get better.
 There really is another solution. 
It is important to remember that in the depths of despair, you are not seeing the situation clearly
any longer. Your mind and heart have been taken over by the negative thoughts, and you are
blinded to the more positive ones. There is always a solution other than suicide, even if it is one
you can’t see right now – you must trust that it is there, and ask someone for help to find it.
 Give yourself more time. 
If you are feeling as though you can’t control your suicidal impulses, work to convince yourself
to give it another 24 hours. Just a little more time can help you rise out of the cloud of despair.
During that time, you can seek help by speaking to someone you trust, calling a suicide helpline,
or otherwise trying to find a different perspective.
 Do not be alone. 
If you can talk to friends and family, and stay close to them so that you don’t act upon the
impulses, do that. If you don’t have anyone you can talk to at that point, go to a public place. See
a movie, sit in the park, walk through the mall, and simply be around others. Human interaction
can go a long way toward ensuring that you don’t act on the suicidal impulses that might seem
overwhelming when you are alone.
SOURCE:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: "When You Fear Someone May Take Their Life."
http://www.learnpsychology.org/suicide-depression-student-guidebook/

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA?

I chose Social Networking Sites because most of the Filipino teenagers nowadays have
their own accounts in SNS due to its growing popularity to the internet users thus, the content of
my social media site can be seen by everyone especially those teenagers who are in the verge of
suiciding due to depression. Also, social networking sites are user-friendly and re ver accessible.
WEBSITE USED: Facebook
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT WEBSITE?
 I chose Facebook because it is the the largest social platform and because of its
accessibility to the audience especially for the younger generations who are suffering from
depression and suicidal tendencies. This website would be very helpful in conveying these to the
persons/people involved in this article because of its ‘share’ feature. Users could also share their
own experiences in the comment section and could also add tips or advices to help teenagers
overcome depression and suicidal thoughts.

SOCIAL ISSUE #2
SOCIAL ISSUE/PROBLEM: Technology Dependence of Children and Teenagers
PROBABLE CAUSE: Social Anxiety, Depression, Peer influences
VICINITY AND PERSON/PEROPLE INVOLVED: Philippines; Parents, Children & Teenagers
TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA USED: Blog
WHAT WILL BE THE CONTENT OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITE?

Parents Should Regulate Children and Teenagers’ Technology Dependency

Technology, according to Merriam Webster
Dictionary, is the use of science in industry,
engineering, etc. to invent useful things or to solve
problems. Nowadays, technology advancements are
visibly expanding at a fast pace. As time pass by,
people are discovering more and more ways to do
things easier and faster. In our generation, computers
and gadgets are highly essential in our lives. But the
growth of modern technology has made people
especially children and teenagers’ lives today over-
dependent on it. Their dependency on technology has
caused them to lose their ability to think independently. This dependency could also cause
addiction, mood disorders and memory loss. Even though technology has positively impacted
our lives in so many ways, parents should regulate children and teenagers’ technology
dependency and usage because it causes negative effects on our future leaders.
First, technology causes children and teenagers to lose their ability to think independently. Most
of the kids today uses calculator to solve a simple arithmetic problem. Also, most of them
doesn’t even know how to use a dictionary, thesaurus and encyclopedia because there’s google.
With just one click, they could have the information they need so they don’t see using these
books as a necessary skill. The accessibility to information that technology bring has replaced
many things in our life. Indeed, technology is slowly taking over the lives of the younger
generation and it is not good.
Second, technology causes addiction. According to a new study from Pew Research Center, 92%
of teens reported going online daily – including 24%who say they go online “almost constantly”.
More than half (56%) of teens – defined on this report as those ages 13 to 17 – go online several
times a day and 12% report once-a-day use. Just 6% of teens report going online weekly and 2%
go online less often. This study only shows that majority of teens and children are addicted to
technology. What these kids don’t know is that overuse of digital technology causes mood
disorders and memory loss because of stress. For starters, stress can be triggered by exposure to
radiation and overuse of technology, especially when gaming for several hours non-stop.
Technology would most definitely advance so people would more likely use technology more
and more, therefore causing a lack of brain use. Also, staring at a screen for the entire day causes
stress and anxiety which is the primary cause of memory loss and mood disorders.
Lastly, it inhibits social interaction. Facebook is the most popular and frequently used social
media platform among teens and children. Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tumblr are also
most often used platform by teens as their method for communication to their friends and family.
We use a lot of social media that people don’t know how to communicate to each other in real
life.
Technology has made our lives easier and our jobs more productive but it has many negative
effects on individuals especially on children and teenagers. Their dependency on technology has
caused them to lose their ability to think independently, it also causes addiction leading to mood
disorders and memory loss. It also inhibits social interaction. Therefore, parents should limit
their technology dependency and usage. They should set limits and boundaries. They should also
plan to engage their child on other activities that do not include technology. Technology is not
the problem. It is the way that we use it. We must not let our future leaders to become highly
dependent on technology. This dependency is a serious condition and it has been documented to
be an increasing problem but it can be treated. So let’s all take actions now to regulate and
control the younger generations’ technology dependency.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA?
I chose this type of social media because blogs mostly focuses on the written contents
that users post and it is primarily composed of entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or
other material such as graphics or video. I also chose this because it can be easily searched in
search engines like Google. I think, this type of social media could help me share my own
findings about this social issue and could raise awareness on how technology dependence affects
children and teenagers.
WEBSITE USED: Tumblr
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT WEBSITE?
I chose Tumblr because it focuses on sharing sensible written contents, not everyday
thoughts and opinions of users. It also has the feature of tagging system that could categorize
blogs and posts into different topics so users could search articles they’re interested in. It is also
customizable, easy to create and is user-friendly.
 SOCIAL ISSUE #3
SOCIAL ISSUE/PROBLEM: Gender Discrimination
PROBABLE CAUSE: Gender Roles
VICINITY AND PERSON/PEROPLE INVOLVED: Philippines; General Audience
TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA USED: Blog
WHAT WILL BE THE CONTENT OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITE?

Gender Roles Leads to Gender Discrimination

"Sex" refers to our biological and physiological traits; "gender" refers to the roles society assigns
people based on their sex. Gender discrimination is when there is a bias based on a person's sex
that leads to defining the roles he/she should play in society.
An example of gender stereotypes exists in the belief that it is the woman's job, simply because
of her sex (female) to stay home and take care of their children.
Other examples include the belief that women are unable to make decisions as well as men
because women get their periods and men don't.
An example of gender discrimination would be if a woman was denied a job, or was paid less
than a man would be paid, or received a lesser compensation and benefits package solely on the
basis of her being female.

CHANGING THE FACE OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION

In order for there to be a change in perceived gender roles, two important considerations come
into play:
 Both Sexes Are At Least Partially To Blame: Men and women both have gender roles
that are defined by any given society, and gender roles and stereotypes are created by,
and also perpetuated by both sexes. By the same token, women are not the only ones
demanding equality, many men also fight hard for the rights of women.
 Social Attitudes Must Be Changed: Gender roles and stereotypes leads to in the
workplace against women and against men -- and in society at large. In order for
 discriminatory practices to end, change must begin in societal values and attitudes, but
equal rights must be enforced by laws because individual members of societies will never
all think the same.
SOURCE:
https://www.thebalance.com/g00/sex-vs-gender-the-role-society-plays-in-assigning-gender-
3515720?i10c.referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.ph%2F

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA?

I chose Blog for this social issue because its main focus is on the content of every user’s
posts rather than other types of media. It is also used to share one’s knowledge, expressing one’s
self and making a difference.
WEBSITE USED: WordPress
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT WEBSITE?
I chose WordPress because it is the most popular blogging software. I chose this because
it can be easily searched in the Internet so everybody could see it. It also focuses on texts written
by users and it is usually used for sharing essays and articles that make a stance.