Abstract
In this study we examine differential trends in recreational computer use among Latino and white children in California. We analyzed data from the children’s sample (age 4–11) of the 2001 and 2009 California Health Interview Survey. Multivariate analysis was used to estimate the impact of language spoken at home, income and parental education, on recreational computer use. Latino children had substantially lower recreational computer use in 2001, compared to whites, but by 2009 the gap had almost disappeared. Among Latinos, compared to families where English is spoken exclusively, recreational computer use was substantially lower in families where Spanish is spoken exclusively. Parental education and income were significantly associated with recreational computer use, but only among Latinos, and the association with parental education changed from 2001 to 2009, explaining some of the difference in trend between Latino and white children.
References
Rideout VJ, Foehr UG, Roberts DF. Generation M2-media in the lives of 8–18 year olds. CA: Kaiser Family Foundation; 2010.
Mendoza JA, Zimmerman FJ, Christakis DA. Television viewing, computer use, obesity, and adiposity in US preschool children. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2007;4:44.
Becker HJ. Who’s wired and who’s not: children’s access to and use of computer technology. Future Child. 2000;10(2):44–75.
Fairlie RW, London RA, Rosner R, Pastor M. Crossing the divide-immigrant youth and digital disparity in California: Center for justice, tolerance, and community-University of California. CA: Santa Cruz; 2006.
Zickuhr K, Smith A. Digital differences: pew research center’s internet & American life project. Washington DC: Pew Research Center; 2012.
Clark L, Hofsess L. Acculturation. Denver: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; 1997.
Thompson DA, Sibinga EM, Jennings JM, Bair-Merritt MH, Christakis DA. Television viewing by young hispanic children: evidence of heterogeneity. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010;164(2):174–9.
Arcia E, Skinner M, Bailey D, Correa V. Models of acculturation and health behaviors among Latino immigrants to the US. Soc Sci Med. 2001;53(1):41–53.
Ponce NA, Lavarreda SA, Yen W, Brown ER, DiSogra C, Satter DE. The California health interview survey 2001: translation of a major survey for California’s multiethnic population. Public Health Rep. 2004;119(4):388–95.
King G, Tomz M, Wittenberg J. Making the most of statistical analyses: improving interpretation and presentation. Am J Political Sci. 2000;44(2):347–61.
National telecommunications and information administration. Digital Nation-expanding internet usage: U.S. Department of commerce; 2011.
White house task force on childhood obesity. Solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation: executive office of the president of the United States; 2010.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Children, adolescents, and television. Pediatrics. 2001;107(2):423–6.
Carlson SA, Fulton JE, Lee SM, Foley JT, Heitzler C, Huhman M. Influence of limit-setting and participation in physical activity on youth screen time. Pediatrics. 2010;126(1):e89–96.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Meijgaard, J., Shi, L. & Simon, P. Trends in Recreational Computer Use Among Latino Children in California. J Immigrant Minority Health 15, 437–441 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9684-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9684-5