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Published on: December 16, 2010
Electronic Play, Study, Communication, and Adolescent Achievement, 2003 to 2008
Sandra L Hofferth1, Ui Jeong Moon
1Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, hofferth@umd.edu.
Summary
Computer use among adolescents increased from 2003-2008. While communication and internet browsing negatively impacted reading, computer games boosted scores for girls and minorities, suggesting overall benign effects.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Educational Psychology
- Media Studies
Background:
- Adolescent computer use, including messaging, web browsing, and studying, significantly increased between 2003 and 2008.
- Previous research often focused on potential negative impacts of screen time on cognitive development and academic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the influence of increased computer use on adolescent achievement and behavior.
- To differentiate the effects of various computer activities (communication, internet, gaming, studying) on cognitive and academic outcomes.
- To investigate potential differential effects based on gender and ethnicity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement.
- Longitudinal analysis tracking changes in computer use and corresponding changes in individual achievement and behavior from childhood to adolescence.
- Statistical methods to assess the association between specific computer activities and outcomes like vocabulary, reading, problem-solving, and test scores.
Main Results:
- Increased time spent on communication and general internet browsing was associated with lower vocabulary and reading scores.
- Increased engagement with computer games positively correlated with reading and problem-solving scores, especially for girls and minority children.
- Computer use for studying showed a positive association with test scores for girls, but not for boys.
Conclusions:
- The overall impact of increased adolescent computer use appears more benign than widely feared.
- Specific computer activities have differential effects on academic achievement.
- Girls and minority children, historically less engaged with computers, may experience particular benefits from increased usage, especially in gaming and studying contexts.
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