Factors Related to Adolescent Computer Use and Electronic Game Use

Abstract

The goal of the research was to determine the association between a variety of factors and amount of time per week on the computer and electronic games. Participants (aged 13–17 years and residing in the United States) were recruited via the Internet to complete an anonymous survey on line using a survey tool. The target sample of 200 participants who completed the survey was achieved. The sample's average age was 16 predominantly female (63% girls). A series of regressions with computer use and electronic games hours per week as dependent variables were run. Based on the results, boys engaged in many of the computer and electronic game activities more hours per week than girls. Neck and shoulder pain were implicated in greater use of computers and the Internet. Reading level was positively associated with computer use while math level had a negative association with computer use. These findings seem to suggest that greater computer and electronic use are associated with a number of negative factors and some positive.