Children and Internet Use

  In the article "Class and Gender Impact Internet Use" from the site The Local, researchers looked at young people in Sweden and saw how their economic status and gender affected how they use the Internet.

  The research showed that children are beginning to use the Internet at progressively younger ages. This is obviously affected by their economic status in ability to access the Internet. The education of parents plays a role in this. Children who come from a family with more educated parents come to school with Internet experience, while children coming from a family with less educated parents are not as well prepared. This shows that schools need to take into account the difference in Internet skills that children have when coming into schools, so not to put some at a disadvantage.

  Like the difference in use of Facebook, there are gender differences in how youth use the Internet. Age also has an effect. Girls start Internet use at an earlier age than boys and their use is quite varied. They blog, instant message, and share videos and photos online. Boys are more likely to play games and continue to use the Internet to that purpose into their 20s, later than girls.

  Unfortunately, the article explains that even though girls are getting more out of their Internet use, and at an earlier age, boys consider themselves more tech-savvy than girls. This could be because computers and technology is still typically a male dominated field. Girls need to realize that using the Internet to cater to their interests is giving them an advantage, a further and more varied knowledge of the resource.

  It isn't surprising that the age children begin to use the Internet is getting more and more younger. Playing games and watching movies is easy online and it is important that children get comfortable around computers and the Internet to help with success in school. Schools should realize and take into account the different Internet experiences that children have when they come to school. Young girls also need to start giving themselves credit for the amount of Internet experience they attain. The Internet is a resource that can be used in a number of ways.