Skip to main content
Log in

Trends in Recreational Computer Use Among Latino Children in California

  • Brief Communication
  • Published:
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

References

  1. Rideout VJ, Foehr UG, Roberts DF. Generation M2-media in the lives of 8–18 year olds. CA: Kaiser Family Foundation; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  2. 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. 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.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. 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.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Zickuhr K, Smith A. Digital differences: pew research center’s internet & American life project. Washington DC: Pew Research Center; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Clark L, Hofsess L. Acculturation. Denver: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  7. 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. 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.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. National telecommunications and information administration. Digital Nation-expanding internet usage: U.S. Department of commerce; 2011.

  12. 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.

  13. American Academy of Pediatrics. Children, adolescents, and television. Pediatrics. 2001;107(2):423–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeroen van Meijgaard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9684-5

Keywords

Navigation