‘I am very good at computers’: young children's computer use and their computer self-esteem

Abstract

Children frequently encounter computers in many aspects of daily life. It is important to consider the consequences not only on children's cognitive development but on their emotional and self-development. This paper reports on research undertaken in Australia with 52 children aged between 44 and 79 months to explore the existence or not of a relationship between computer use and computer self-esteem. The development and use of tools to identify computer self-esteem is also described. Findings suggest that computer use enhances computer self-esteem, especially for children with access to computers both at home and in preschool and the first year of schooling. Suggestions for further research and serious implications for early childhood are also noted.