Life changes brought about by text messaging to De La Salle University students

• Main Authors: Veron Cruz, Albert, Alindogan, Angelo
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2002
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/11681
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study provided significant data regarding the phenomenon of text messaging among college students, a relatively under-researched topic in De La Salle University. Text messaging is very popular in the Philippines that is why the researchers felt that it was necessary to conduct the study to establish an explanation for its popularity. The study also presented various related literature. As a result, the study aimed to find out if indeed text messaging has effects or has created life changes among 20 respondents in regard to the following aspects: psycho-social, school related, and financial. The method that was used to gather data was in-depth interview so as to have quality and provide for more character in the answers that the respondents have given. Ten of the respondents were females and the other ten were males who were from different colleges of De La Salle University. The study made use of an interview guide that contained questions regarding different life changes that were brought about by cellular phone use and text messaging. The life changes that were mentioned by the respondents were then classified into three categories: advantages and disadvantages faced and corresponding coping mechanisms brought about by cellular phone use and text messaging. The data gathered from the interview underwent through content analysis which the researchers categorized the participants' answers into three different class. These categories are advantages, disadvantages, and coping mechanisms. As a result of the researchers data gathering, the study was able to show that advantages outweigh disadvantages. Various advantages have been mentioned as having more meaningful relationships to family and friends due to the fast pace of communication brought about by text messaging. Meeting and connecting to new people as cell phones provide for easier reach to others. Also, in cases of emergencies, data shows that there are more people who feel safe with the fact that they know they can call their families and friends anytime at any instance. In addition, the fact that text messaging is cheap makes it quite appealing to all users of this technology. Its reliability is one more thing that most of the respondents considered, the fact that messages are sure to be received. Others have made use of their cellular phones as an organizing tool be it at school or social activities. Many other advantages are thoroughly discussed in later chapters. With regard to disadvantages, the common thing that the respondents cited as one of the major disadvantage is the lack of privacy. Cellular phones are sometimes causes of distraction. Some have been too engrossed about text messaging that they sometimes tend to ignore others presence. The coping mechanisms are ways wherein how the respondents were able to adjust to the changes that this new technology has brought about in their lives.