Affiliations: School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University, Perth,
Australia | Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin
University, Perth, Australia | School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth,
Australia
Note: [] Corresponding author: Professor Leon Straker, School of
Physiotherapy, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
Tel.: +61 8 9266 3634; Fax: +61 8 9266 3699; E-mail:
L.Straker@curtin.edu.au
Abstract: Young people are exposed to a range of information technologies (IT)
in different environments, including home and school, however the factors
influencing IT use at home and school are poorly understood. The aim of this
study was to investigate young people's computer exposure patterns at home and
school, and related factors such as age, gender and the types of IT used. 1351
children in Years 1, 6, 9 and 11 from 10 schools in metropolitan Western
Australia were surveyed. Most children had access to computers at home and
school, with computer exposures comparable to TV, reading and writing. Total
computer exposure was greater at home than school, and increased with age.
Computer activities varied with age and gender and became more social with
increased age, at the same time parental involvement reduced. Bedroom computer
use was found to result in higher exposure patterns. High use of home and
school computers were associated with each other. Associations varied depending
on the type of IT exposure measure (frequency, mean weekly hours, usual and
longest duration). The frequency and duration of children's computer exposure
were associated with a complex interplay of the environment of use, the
participant's age and gender and other IT activities.
Keywords: Ergonomics, human – machine interface, exposure, children, school, home
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121494
Journal: Work, vol. 44, no. Supplement 1, pp. 61-71, 2013
