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Taiwanese adolescents' perceptions and attitudes regarding the internet: exploring gender differences
Chin-Chung Tsai1, Chia-Ching Lin
1Institute of Education, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan. cctsai@mail.nctu.edu.tw
Adolescence
|February 25, 2005
Summary
This study found gender differences in how adolescents perceive the internet. While males saw it as a "toy," females viewed it as a "technology" or "tool," though these differences may be narrowing.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Media Studies
Background:
- The internet's pervasive influence necessitates understanding user perceptions and attitudes.
- Adolescent internet usage patterns and views are critical for digital literacy and online safety research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender-based differences in adolescents' perceptions and attitudes towards the internet.
- To explore how male and female adolescents conceptualize and interact with internet technologies.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 636 high school students in Taiwan.
- Analysis of perceptions and attitudes concerning internet use, segmented by gender.
Main Results:
- Male adolescents perceived the internet primarily as a 'toy,' while females viewed it as 'technology,' 'tool,' or 'tour.'
- Females exhibited more pragmatic views, whereas males sought greater enjoyment.
- Males reported more positive attitudes regarding usefulness and control, but no significant gender differences were observed in affection or behavior aspects. Females demonstrated higher internet self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Significant gender-based differences exist in adolescents' internet perceptions and attitudes, with females showing more pragmatic views and higher self-efficacy.
- The findings suggest potential convergence in gender differences as female adolescents gain more internet experience.