Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The aims of this study were:
to collect new information on children's use of new information and communication technology;
to contribute to the development of social theory;
to develop innovative child-centred methodologies;
to inform public debates about children and the Internet;
to develop collaborative links with users.
Three institutions - each with a relatively high amount of Internet-connected computers, but with very different catchment areas - were selected and approached to become the project's case study schools. The schools were given the following pseudonyms: 'Highfields' ('middle-class', urban), 'Station Road' ('working class', urban) and 'Westport' (socially mixed, rural). Next, all pupils in two year groups in these schools were asked to complete a questionnaire survey about their use of computers in a variety of settings. Users should note that the Data Archive holds the results of the questionnaire survey only.
Main Topics:

The following topics are covered in the questionnaire: demographic information, general use of computers, use of computers at school in and out of classes, use of computers at home and at friends' homes, attitude towards the importance of computer skills and the Internet. As well as gauging individual children's attitudes to and experiences with computers, the questionnaire was designed to be indicative of practices within the three case-study schools.