Affiliations: IT-Stat Corporation, Bellevue, WA, USA | Microsoft Corporation, Hardware Group, Redmond, WA,
USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dan Odell, One Microsoft Way,
Redmond, WA 98052, USA. Tel.: +1 425 706 5643; Fax: +1 425 867 3548; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: This study examines the home computer use of 26 children (aged
6–18) in ten upper middle class families using direct observation, typing
tests, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The goals of the study
were to gather information on how children use computers in the home and to
understand how both parents and children perceive this computer use. Large
variations were seen in computing skills, behaviors, and opinions, as well as
equipment and workstation setups. Typing speed averaged over 40 words per
minute for children over 13 years old, and less than 10 words per minute for
children younger than 10. The results show that for this sample, Repetitive
Stress Injury (RSI) concerns ranked very low among parents, whereas security
and privacy concerns ranked much higher. Meanwhile, children's behaviors and
workstations were observed to place children in awkward working postures.
Photos showing common postures are presented. The greatest opportunity to
improve children's work postures appears to be in providing properly-sized work
surfaces and chairs, as well as education. Possible explanations for the
difference between parental perception of computing risks and the physical
reality of children's observed ergonomics are discussed and ideas for further
research are proposed.
