Thesis (Component 1)

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

The background of this study is the addiction of smartphones or handheld devices. The rise in popularity of the smartphone has everyone on their toes and eyes wide opened for the technological advancement of what the device can do and because of this many thing in the world has evolved around the device with multitudes of application that convert most of the programs from the computer into the devices for easier usage and mobility. However due to the fact that almost everyone has their own personal smartphone or tablet, the functionality of such device is overused to the point some has wrapped their life around it hence the word Nomophobia is created “The fear of not having a phone”

1.2 Overview of Study

In general the study will cover the basics and general idea of the addiction across the world and slowly narrows it down to a specific area of study. The addiction has begun to pick up across the world has most cases are users are using the device while driving causing danger to him/herself and those around them. Other than such are the fear itself “Nomophobia” which affects the mentality of one when he/she does not have a phone nearby or own one even it is not a chemical based addiction the symptoms of withdrawal are almost similar to drugs.

1.3 Statement of Problem

In one recent survey done, out of 1000 students they spend 5.4 hours a day average on their phone that is 1/3 of an average day they spend awake. The most common reason is that they use the phones to check the social media and to keep up with the news from their friends and family.

1.4 Hypothesis

Can the device of addiction help to create an awareness on the addicted about their condition

1.5 Research Purpose, Aim and Objectives

The aim of the research is to identify the reason of the addiction and find a way to reduce or solve the problem by asking them the addicted directly and with the help of third party audience such as their parents who have been observing them.

1.6 Scope of Study

The scope of the study will be targeted towards teenagers aged between 13 – 19 mostly high school students from a particular town, Kajang. There are 3 high schools located near the town center there is where the scope of study will be.

1.7 Significance of the study

This research is to make younger generation that while technology is good but we mustn’t forget the origins of life which is human touch. The more advance the technology becomes the less human we become as Albert Einstein once said “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots – Albert Einstein.”

2. Statement of Problem

2.1 Teenagers are spending 5.4 hours on their phone on daily basis that is 1/3 on an average day

A writer in BBC by name of Heather Chen wrote on an article on Asia’s smartphone addiction. In about 1000 students in South Korea were tested in a survey, out of 72% of them were aged 11-12 and owns a smartphone. They spend an average of 5.4 hours on them daily and were considered to be addicted to the device. The study were said to be later revealed in 2016 and also stress is an important factor that increases the chance of one getting addicted.

3. Review of Literature

3.1 Definition

What is Graphic Design?

A writer named Jen Hawkyard from Treefrog Inc. wrote on what is graphic design and he said that Graphic Design is an art with purpose. It is a combination of both creative and systematic thinking to create a plan or design to solve a particular problem or achieve an objective. Using the combination of visual imagery and typography to full explain and convey the purpose whether it is a message or instructions to the audience. It is a form of visual communication and the expression of concepts and ideas using graphic elements and tools.

What makes Graphic Design important?

Chrysalis Communication provides 4 points of graphic design in everyday lives, firstly it helps to give the audience a good impression towards the promoted object allows the object to secure a place in the audience’s memory. Second, it tells you apart from the competitors in the field, graphic design helps create an identity for the company or brand. Third, a good graphic design conveys a feeling of professionalism and credibility allowing customers or potential customers to instill a trust towards the brand or company. Lastly, graphics design helps to summarize information of a full page document into single image that conveys the same meaning and information.

What is Addiction?

It is defined as having no control over the actions like doing, consuming or using to the point where it becomes harmful to you. Addiction can occur in many forms like alcohol, gambling even working and shopping. When not able to get the addicted subject a form of withdrawal syndrome on the addicted person making him feeling uneasy.

3.2 History of the issue

Asia’s smartphone addiction

3.3 Cause and Effect

Distracted smartphone “addicts” at greater risk if mishaps

A writer in Japan suffered an incident where she was ignored and was left to act on a person face stuck on his phone while walking. She was with her child and has to move from the man or else they would have collided with each other, in frustration she wrote an article on these “smartphone idiots” and sparks question to researchers to act. A researcher named Masakazu Kobayashi from KDDI conducted a research on 300 people and compiled a so-called “mixed-accidents” whereby people using multiple devices simultaneously. Mobile Marketing Data Labo did another survey with 556 people and found 40% of them periodically check SNS via their phone.

Texting While Walking Accident (Video)

ABC News did a report in 2012 for people that are walking with their face or eyes on something else which results in accidents where people bump on each other or worst vehicles. It made a town in the US wanted to enforce a law that will fine people for walking on the streets with their phones in the hand under Jaywalking. A survey was testing by Western Washington University where they send a clown into the campus and only ¼ of the students walking noticed the clown.

Dear Smartphone, I’m Breaking Up With You

A writer post on the Huffington Post that she wanted to break up with her smartphone. This is the result that she herself became aware of what she has become where she no longer can stay away from her phone for a long period of time and has become dependent on the device. She wrote that the smartphone itself the device has so many features that when she needed it is there such as google search for something she doesn’t know, instant messaging to contact her friends, facebook for news updates or even find ways using WAZE when she is lost. However, she wanted the real life back, face to face conversation using vocal cord all she wanted from the smartphone was some space and she said “Is it too much to ask?”

3.4 Solutions

Look Up (Video)

A filmmaker by the name Gary Turk who launched a viral video called “Look Up”. In the video he show and state the issue that is going on but no one seems to notice which is how much we have become a loner with all the social networking and instant messaging. How we all think we have 450 friends on Facebook but not more than 30 have we actually met. How we stopped going out to play in the play with other kids but now stay home watching or playing an iPad, how even a family sits together in the living room but not one word is uttered among them. He showed the effect of handheld devices has done to us in a 4:59 video. In the end, he ask us to put down our phone and live life the right way.

4. Aim(s) and Objective(s) of Research

4.1 Aim:

To create awareness on the social impact of handheld device addiction on teenagers in Kajang using a platform that requires the target audience to do social activities with the device.

4.2 Objective:

To research on handheld device addiction and the social impact it brings focused on teenagers aged between 13 - 19
To survey the statistics of handheld device usage/addiction on teenagers in Kajang using questionnaires and short interviews and also third party audience such as parents on their opinion on the subject matter
To select the social impact of handheld device addiction on teenagers to address based on the survey results and opinions of the third party
To create awareness of the social impact of handheld device addiction to teenagers in Kajang using a platform that involves the target audience to use human interaction and electronic device

5. Hypotheses

5.1 Using a platform that uses competitive element to help raise awareness among teenagers and reduce the physical dangers of handheld device addiction.

6. Methodology

6.1 Definition of Paradigm and Research Design

Step 1:

Pragmatic: Pragmatic research deals with statistics and proven facts in the process rather than using ideas and hypotheses that are based on theories and assumption.

Step 2:

The Topic: Smartphone addiction/Handheld Device Addiction

6.2 Determine and Description the Research Methods

Step 3:

Approach: Case Study: A process or study on a particular event, activity, group of people in depth within a period a time. Case study runs on detailed analysis of a particular subject but under a time period given for the research or study.

Step 4:

Handheld device is a term used for devices that fits into the hand with the processing power of a small computer. Normally used for smartphones and tablets but PDAs are also handheld devices though not used as much, therefore handheld devices are mostly referred to smartphones and tablets.

Addiction in general are drug based illness but there are many other types of addiction but mainly split between physical and mental addiction. Handheld device addiction is a mental addiction similar to shopping and work addiction.

Social Issues here is the ignorance of face to face conversation that teenagers are doing it without realizing. The devices has connectivity application like social media and because they are busy connecting through the media they forget and ignore those around them especially family members.

Statistics of Smartphone usage indicates the rise of smartphone and tablet usage in Asia is the highest in the world. And children aged from 5 years onward begin to have their own smartphone and with such exposure at young age addiction is sure to come.

Survey done to target audience this is a manual survey done on the target audience to get their opinions and experience firsthand. It also includes those that are around them like friends and parents to get the third party perspective.

Using application to raise awareness is the idea of using the problem to solve the problem. Using the device to create the awareness on the addiction towards the audience because it is similar to the thing that you are addicted to is telling you that you are addicted.

Step 5:

Types of Data: A mixture of qualitative and quantitative data

6.3 Research Instrumentation

Step 6:

Data Instruments:

Survey - A record of data based on answers given to the target audience on question provided by the organizer. This instrument collects the opinions and answers given from the target audience for a more firsthand data
Observation – A method of watching someone or something carefully to gather data or information.
Interview – A meeting between 2 or more people that consist of consultation

6.4 Research Procedures, Steps and Process

Step 7:

Reference

Anon., 2012. Texting While Walking Accidents. [Online]

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0JojWH1rQ

[Accessed 26 September 2015].

Anon., n.d. What is Addiction?. [Online]

Available at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction

[Accessed 29 September 2015].

Anon., n.d. What makes Graphic Design important?. [Online]

Available at: http://thinkchrysalis.com/blog/graphic-design/what-makes-graphic-design-important/

[Accessed 19 September 2015].

Brenoff, A., 2015. Dear Smartphone, I'm Breaking Up With You. [Online]

Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/my-break-up-letter-to-the-internet_55e9c8f7e4b093be51bb5755

[Accessed 30 September 2015].

Chen, H., 2015. Asia's Smartphone Addiction. [Online]

Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33130567

[Accessed 22 September 2015].

Hawkyard, J., n.d. What is Graphic Design?. [Online]

Available at: https://www.treefrog.ca/what-is-graphic-design

[Accessed 19 September 2015].

Kuchikomi, 2013. Distracted smartphone "addicts" at greater risk of mishaps. [Online]

Available at: http://www.japantoday.com/kuchikomi/view/distracted-smartphone-addicts-at-greater-risk-of-mishaps

[Accessed 23 September 2015].

Look Up. 2014. [Film] Directed by Gary Turk. British: Gary Turk.

The First Journey

2 October 2015

Thesis (Component 1)