Analysis of Gender Differences in Internet Use of Children: Evidence from Turkey

Ömer Alkan

doi:10.5539/res.v8n1p199

Abstract

<p>In this study, factors in Internet use of female and male children in Turkey were determined with probit regression model by using micro data set in Household Information Technologies Usage Research of 2013 carried out by Turkish Statistical Institute. Dependent variable of the study is two category variable, namely Internet use and non-use of female and male children. Independent variables are socio-economic and demographic variables. According to chi-square analysis, there is a relation between Internet use of female and male children and socio-economic and demographic characteristics. According to probit regression analysis results, for female children, region, educational status, having computer or mobile phone on their own, frequency of watching TV, watching movie, series; floor show, music, game show; watching educational programs such as documentaries, culture, art, reading newspaper and journal in printed media, using mobile phone and frequency of using computer are variables effective in Internet use. Region, rural-urban difference, age, being literate, educational status, having mobile phone or game console on their own, watching entertainment, music, competition programs, reading newspaper and journal in printed media, using mobile phone and, frequency of using computer are variables effective in Internet use among male children. Frequency of using computer is the most effective variable in Internet use and it is more effective among female children compared to male children.</p>

Highlights

Today, digital media and Internet became a part of communication and information tools of many children
While 16.41% of female children and 13.57% of male children who use Internet is in TR1 (İstanbul) region, 23.73% of female children and 22.69% of male children who do not use Internet is in TRC (Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Batman, Şırnak, Siirt) region. 80.9% and 81.01% of female and male children respectively who use Internet live in urban regions
It was determined that 12.97% of female children who use Internet watch news programs, 74.41% watch movies, series; 57.03% watch cartoons, 68.39% watch entertainment, music-competition programs, 10.27% watch sports programs and 25.76% watch educational programs such as documentaries, culture, art programs

Summary

Introduction

Digital media and Internet became a part of communication and information tools of many children. Internet access and use of children has been increasing throughout the world (McQuillan & O’Neill, 2009). This section and children and young people of today are primary actors of technology in general sense and in parts which require interaction and communication of computer and Internet. Considering in this sense, children are the factors who use technology well and progress to future (Canbek & Sağıroğlu, 2007). In most countries the percentage of boys using the Internet is slightly higher than girls, in only three countries are the differences statistically significant: Austria (boys: 62 per cent, girls: 45 per cent), Italy (boys: 41 per cent, girls: 30 per cent), and Germany (boys: 52 per cent, girls: 43 per cent) (McQuillan & O’Neill, 2009)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion