Adolescent Internet Usage in Taiwan: Exploring Gender Differences
ADOLESCENT INTERNET USAGE IN TAIWAN:
EXPLORING GENDER DIFFERENCES
The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in adolescent Internet accessibility, motives for use, and online activities in Taiwan; 629 5th and 6th graders were surveyed. Some studies have indicated that while males tend to emphasize the value of using the Internet, females tend to express more negative attitudes toward computers and the Internet. (e.g., Durndell & Haag, 2002; Kadijevich, 2000; Whitely, 1997). Because of such findings, computers and the Internet may be considered a masculine activity. Two factors may help explain this phenomenon. One, is the ability to master computers and the Internet; it is undeniable that males have more opportunities to use technological products such as the Internet. The result is that males have used the Internet more often and for a longer time than females have (Clemente, 1998; Kraut et al., 1998; Bruce, 1988). The other factor could be due to the contents of the Internet, much of which was not targeted at females when the Internet first gained prominence. Clemente pointed out that, at least in the mid 1990’s, the Internet simply did not have what most females wanted or needed. Since its content did not satisfy the needs of women, they tended to view the Internet as less important and used it less often than did males. Recently, some researchers (Schumacher & Morahan-Martin, 2001) have argued that the gap has narrowed now that females have acquired more experience with the Internet, and more of the content that is related to women’s interests has become available. Hunley et al. (2005) reported that the amount of time spent on the computer was similar across genders. Some findings support the idea that searching for information and playing games are the most common online activities for adolescents. For example, Hunley et al. (2005) pointed out that girls most often used the computer for homework. Surveying 6 to 11 year-old
EXPLORING GENDER DIFFERENCES
The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in adolescent Internet accessibility, motives for use, and online activities in Taiwan; 629 5th and 6th graders were surveyed. Some studies have indicated that while males tend to emphasize the value of using the Internet, females tend to express more negative attitudes toward computers and the Internet. (e.g., Durndell & Haag, 2002; Kadijevich, 2000; Whitely, 1997). Because of such findings, computers and the Internet may be considered a masculine activity. Two factors may help explain this phenomenon. One, is the ability to master computers and the Internet; it is undeniable that males have more opportunities to use technological products such as the Internet. The result is that males have used the Internet more often and for a longer time than females have (Clemente, 1998; Kraut et al., 1998; Bruce, 1988). The other factor could be due to the contents of the Internet, much of which was not targeted at females when the Internet first gained prominence. Clemente pointed out that, at least in the mid 1990’s, the Internet simply did not have what most females wanted or needed. Since its content did not satisfy the needs of women, they tended to view the Internet as less important and used it less often than did males. Recently, some researchers (Schumacher & Morahan-Martin, 2001) have argued that the gap has narrowed now that females have acquired more experience with the Internet, and more of the content that is related to women’s interests has become available. Hunley et al. (2005) reported that the amount of time spent on the computer was similar across genders. Some findings support the idea that searching for information and playing games are the most common online activities for adolescents. For example, Hunley et al. (2005) pointed out that girls most often used the computer for homework. Surveying 6 to 11 year-old
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