CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction
Technologies nowadays has develop so much that it is almost needed to have electronic gadgets such as personal computers and laptops at home, school, and at work. Teenagers have gotten so used to have these technologies around them. However, even thou having these computers make our lives easier, comfortable and handy most of the times, it could also have negative effects on their lives particularly in their studies when used to much. They develop an addiction caused by computer abuse, which is known as “Computer Addiction”. Computer Addiction is defined as a strong attachment with a machine or what can be displayed on it that the usual criteria for impartment through addiction (Lowison, 2005). Too much computer usage could affect ones academic performance. They skip classes; do not listen to class discussions, low grade scores and poor class performance. The purpose of this research is to identify the level of students who exhibit too much computer usage.

Background of the Study PATTS College of Aeronautics was founded as a joint enterprise of Filipino and American pioneers in aviation, the Philippine Air Transport and Training Services (PATTS) started operations in 1969. Its primary aim was to establish a manufacturing and assembly power plant for training aircrafts, which at the time of its founding was a new and pioneering objective by its five founding directors. Its secondary aim was to put up an Aeronautical School to meet the domestic and international demands In the fields of aviation and air transportation industry. Students of PATTS nowadays are shown having the symptoms of computer addiction. From the location of PATTS, there are many computer shops within the 500 meter radius. Some of these computer shops are Hynix, TNC Trojan, Airline and Aero Lab. Computer Addiction to students could cause their academic and class performance to be poor, which leads to low grades. This could also affect the performance of PATTS in a broad view.

Theroetical Framework Computer addiction are seen in many studies and some of these are the following; According to B.F. Skinner ‘s Approch Operant Conditioning (1935), which states that addiction is learned both through observation / vicarious reinforcement and direct experiences. People who finds relief in pleasure behaviour are more likely to engage in that behaviour again. This satisfies that people who learned to use computer and have pleasure or satisfaction in using them could engage to use computers again which could lead to computer addiction. This behaviour is more likely caused by the pleasure of using these computers. From the thesis of A. Agoncillo‘s Effects of Computer Addiction to 1st Year Electronics Engineering of De La Salle University – Taft, it shows that 7 out of 10 students exhibit computer addiction. It was proven by statistical approach made by the method of survey. Electronics Engineering students who are addicted computers show poor class performance and too much absences. It was also shown that out of the 7 who exhibit computer addiction, 3 out of 7 students shows that they have failing grades due to computer addiction. This statistical data shows that there is really students who exhibit computer addiction.

Statement of the Problem This study aims to know the level of addiction of 2nd year Pre-Engineering students 1st Semester to computer usage. This study also aims to answer the following questions: 1. What is the level of addiction of 2nd year 1st semester Pre – Engineering students of PATTS College of Aeronautics to computer usage? 2. What are the factors that affect the level of addiction of 2nd year Pre – Engineering students? 3. What are the effects of the level of addiction of 2nd year Pre – Engineering students? 4. What are the possible solutions and preventions to minimize the level of addiction of 2nd year Pre – Engineering students?

Scope and Limitations of the study This study focuses on the level of addiction that can be acquired in the usage of computer. This study will be conducted on PATTS College of Aeronautics limited only to 2nd yr. Pre-Engineering students located at Paranaque City. This study will be conducted during the 1st semester of school year 2013-2014. This involves survey, observations and data gathering or research. This aims to know how much the students are addicted to computer games, social networking sites and internet usage and excluded the topics considering the academic performance of the students and its social issues. It also want to know its effects and factors to the student and how will it solve the issue concerning computer addiction.

Significance of the study
The following are the ones who will benefit from the study; the students, parents, teachers, school administrators, government officials and the future researchers.
For the Students;
They will have the idea on how to cure their addiction to computer, step by step. So they will take an action to solve their own problem. And also they will surely make time to study rather than computer games.
For the parents;
For them to know the level of addiction of students and so that their child will be able to get high grades if they can give prevention to their addiction to computer games.
For the teachers;
Teachers are also related to students which is the main target of computer addiction. They will not worry anymore of giving their students higher grades because students will really excel if they able to cure this problem.
For the School Administrator; For them to know the level of computer addiction of their school and how they will react about it. It is very important for them to know because they are one in charge of the school’s students.
For the local Government; For them to know the level of schools that has a high percentage of computer addiction. It is also significant for them to make a move on how to solve this problem.
For the Future Researchers;
This is a big contribution for them because they can read this references of articles for future use and whenever when the time comes. They could also use the recommendations cited to make a new or continued study.

Definition of Terms
Addiction- the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit forming
Anxiety- you may use the internet to distract yourself from your worries and fears.
Computer- called processor an electronic device design to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed.
Computer addiction- obsessive playing of off-line/online games or applications.
Computer literacy- defined as the knowledge and ability to use computer and related technology efficient.
Information overload- compulsive web surfing or database searching, reading to lower work productivity and less social inter action with family and friends.
Misplaced priorities- an over developed sense of importance for the computer in one’s life.
Net compulsion- such as compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading, or compulsive use of online auction sites.
No limitation- a demonstrated “loss of control” when trying to stop or limit the amount of time on computer.
Usage- a customary way of doing something a custom or practice.