Race, gender, and information technology use: the new digital divide

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Investigating disparities in information technology (IT) use among children is crucial for understanding educational equity.
• Previous research has not fully explored the intersection of race, gender, and IT engagement in pre-adolescent populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine race and gender differences in the intensity and type of IT use among 12-year-old children.
• To determine if specific patterns of IT use predict academic performance.

Main Methods:

• Survey data collected from 515 children (172 African American, 343 Caucasian American) aged 12.
• Analysis of IT usage patterns including computers, internet, video games, and cell phones.
• Statistical examination of the relationship between IT use variables and academic performance.

Main Results:

• Significant race and gender differences in IT use intensity were observed.
• African American males reported the least intense use of computers and the internet.
• African American females were the most intense internet users; males dominated video game use, and females dominated cell phone use.
• Time spent on computers and the internet positively predicted academic performance.
• Time spent playing video games negatively predicted academic performance.

Conclusions:

• IT engagement varies significantly by race and gender among young adolescents.
• Strategic interventions may be needed to increase IT access and engagement for African American males.
• Promoting balanced IT use, emphasizing educational applications over excessive gaming, is vital for academic success.