Guerrero, Irene Abigail Sistoza

Abstract:Screen time amongst children is now, more than ever pronounced, and needs to be given attention to. An increase in demand towards access to technology, and use of gadgets is observed as children are staying home during the COVID19 pandemic. Using qualitative research design, the researcher interviewed 20 pairs of parents with children between the ages of 12 to 18, of different genders to present and discuss the information communication technology practices of children; enumerate the uses of information communication technologies amongst children, and explain children’s gratification and motivation in their use of information communication technologies. Results show that information communication technology practices of children includes the use of mobile phones; children, at the age of 10, own a gadget; family households allot part of their income in data service subscriptions; children are online for more than 5 hours a day; children use their gadgets 7 days a week; children’s gadgets do not have turned-on parental controls; children often access social media sites; they manage their own social media accounts; and they cannot last a day without using their gadgets. Further, children use online media for self-expression, learning information source, games, entertainment, and to communicate. Lastly, the gratifications and motivations of children in the use of online media includes happiness in being connected with others, a need for affirmation as they express self-identity; excitement in learning; and the thrilling experience in leisure and entertainment. Recommendations center on family education, role of the academe, and strengthening value-laden initiatives.

Keywords:Communication studies, COVID19, Social Media

Abstract:There is little literature discussing the construction of meaning at an individual level about sexual harassment. This study presented the level of perception of males and females on sexually harassing content and discussed how males and females construe sexual harassment. Using integrated mixed methods and employing quota sampling, 400 respondents from the Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur provinces participated in the survey, and 10 participants were interviewed. Based on the study results, females and males have varying levels of perception of verbal, visual, physical, and digital body language constructs relating to sexually harassing content. Their levels of perception of sexually harassing content are more pronounced in same-sex communication; female-to-female, and male-to-male communication events. Further, the construct of sexual harassment was influenced by the sender’s and recipient’s gender and sex, degree of intimacy in relationships, and non-verbal communication. Future studies could explore policy sciences, computer-mediated communication, and misinterpretation and miscommunication in within sexual harassment issues.

Keywords:Communication, Social Science, Gender, Sexual harassment, Academe.