Children’s Computer Use in the Home

Abstract

The researchers examined social interactions of children using home computers. The main concern was whether computers tended to isolate youthful users. Adult anxiety regarding the damaging effects of computers on children was assessed. Parental involvement, orientation to computers, and gender were the main independent variables. A case study approach was employed to gather observational data regarding the variety of interactional networks that framed the computer experience of 32 participants. The findings challenged the notion that heavy computer users experience social isolation. It was found that the interpersonal lives and computer activities of children reflexively amplified each other and that boys were more likely to socialize in relation to computers than were girls. The findings were explained as consequences of context and gender-based differentiated styles of world-creating activity. Recommendations were made to parents and teachers encouraging a less apprehensive and more integrative/developmental view of the social effects of children’s computer use.