Patterns of teenage computer usage

Abstract

Abstract While there has been considerable attention given to gender differences in the use of computers both at school and at home, relatively little has been published about the types of use teenagers make of computers. This paper reports findings about usage from a sample of 1747 14–18 year olds. The data suggest that while games playing is by far the most popular use, it may serve an interest maintenance function that facilitates progression on to more complete use of computer facilities and the learning of programming languages. The implications of these findings for educational practice are discussed.