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What does this mean?

In Kids Stats having less access to technology refers to children and young people’s lack of access to computer and internet facilities.

Why is it important to monitor?

Access to technology is a regular part of children and young people’s everyday lives. Nearly three quarters of Australian households now have access to a home computer and nearly as many have home Internet access [1].

Children and young people from low-income families are less likely to have access to a computer or the Internet at home [2].

Use of technology, such as computers, can help improve children and young people’s problem-solving skills and their self-concept and motivation [3]. The Internet can provide them with unique opportunities for self-expression and interpersonal communication, through social networking sites. At the same time they develop the technology skills necessary for success in the 21st-century workplace [3].

Children and young people with less access to technology are at risk of falling behind at school and in the workforce [2, 5].

“I can’t live without my mobile phone or my computer” (Boy, 14)

Indicator

The indicator used in Kids Stats to monitor access to technology is:

The number of children and young people aged 5-14years, as reported by parents or carers, who accessed the internet during the last two weeks, as a rate per 1,000 children and young people aged 5-14 years.

Information about this will soon be available.

Notes:
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Household use of information technology (No. 8146.0). Australian Bureau of Statistics: Canberra
[2] McLaren, J., Zappala, G. (2002). The new economy revisited: An initial analysis of the digital divide among financially disadvantaged families. Background paper No. 5. The Smith Family, Research and Policy Team.
[3] Jackson, L.A., Fitzgerald, H.E., Zhao, Y., Kolenic, A., von Eye, A., Harold, R. (2008). Information Technology (IT) use and children’s psychological well-being. Cyberpsychology and behaviour, 11(6), 755-758.
[4] Hew, K.F., Brush, T. (2007). Integrating technology into K-12 teaching and learning: Current knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research. Educational Technology Research and Development, 55(3), 223-252.
[5] Ross, D.P, Roberts, P. (1999). Income and Child Well-being: A new perspective on the poverty debate. Canadian Council on Social Development: Ottawa.