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Age, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Patterns in Early Computer Use

A National Survey

Georgetown University, calverts{at}georgetown.edu

Victoria J. Rideout

Kaiser Family Foundation

Jennifer L. Woolard

Georgetown University

Rachel F. Barr

Georgetown University

Gabrielle A. Strouse

Georgetown University

Parents were interviewed about the media habits of their 6-month to 6-year-old children. For children who had used computers, linear increases in computer usage occurred across this age range with a shift from using a computer on a parent’s lapat aboutage 2^1/2 to autonomous computer and mouse use at about age 3^1/2. There were almost no gender differences in early computer patterns. Families with higher incomes and higher education levels were more likely to own computers and to have Internet access from home. Latino families were least likely to own a computer; Latino and African American families were less likely than Caucasian families to have Internet access at home. Parents perceived computers favorably for children’s learning. No relationship was found between the frequency with which children play computer games and the likelihood that they can read, but increased nongame computer use was associated with increased likelihood of reading.

Key Words: computers • infants • preschoolers • ethnicity • gender

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