Gender influences on children's computer attitudes and cognitions

The relative 'explosion' of computerised technology in recent years has been accompanied by a wealth of psychological research that has indicated a mixed response of attitudes to the now ubiquitous computer. Whilst many people hold positive attitudes about computers, many individuals express serious concerns and have been labelled 'technophobic'. This study considers whether technophobia is a transitory phenomenon by assessing the computer attitudes and cognitions of 104 children aged 11 and 12 via self-report questionnaires, Contrary to previous reports (e.g. Rosen & Weil, 1992, Measuring technophobia: a manual for the administration and scoring of the computer anxiety rating scale (Form C), the computer thoughts survey (Form C) and the general attitudes towards computers scale (Form C). Version 1.1. California State University) the prevalence of technophobia was found to be low. Similarly the impact of psychological gender (sex and sex-role) was assessed and found, in general, not to significantly influence attitudes or cognitions towards computers. This does not support the notion that a technological gender gap is developing, nor the literature that suggests males hold more positive attitudes and cognitions than females. However, whilst in this instance it appears that the computer is viewed positively, it is tentatively suggested that looking to the future, technophobia will not be problematic. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.