Boys Who Use Computers
May Be More Active
Excerpt By Natalie Engler, Reuters Health

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The question of how computers affect people's lifestyles has fueled much debate, with some research linking heavy computer use to everything from poor self-esteem to social withdrawal to more serious psychiatric problems.

Now a study from Hong Kong suggests that, at least for teenage boys, computer use is often part of an active lifestyle. The key, researchers found, was in the way the boys used their computers.

In a study of more than 2,100 secondary school students, researchers found that boys who used computers to do homework, surf the Internet and communicate with others were more socially and physically active than boys who did not use computers at all.

On the other hand, boys who used computers to play games tended to exercise less, engage in fewer recreational activities, and have less social support than their peers. The total number of hours the boys spent on the computer had little bearing on their lifestyle.

The findings, published in the October issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, suggest that parents should monitor how their sons use their computers--and not just how much time they spend in front of the screen, lead author Dr. Samuel M.Y. Ho, of the University of Hong Kong, told Reuters Health.

It is not clear why boys who use computers for purposes other than games are more socially and physically active than their peers. It may be that they come from wealthier families and, therefore, have more resources to devote to recreation, Ho said.

He added that online teens often socialize with people with whom they e-mail and ``chat,'' and it is possible that adolescents who do not use computers are less likely to form such relationships.

The question of whether playing computer games leads to a sedentary lifestyle, or whether inactive teens are simply more likely to spend their free time online, is beyond the study's scope, Ho noted.

As for teenage girls, the investigators found no patterns between computer use and overall lifestyle. This may be because boys and girls have different attitudes toward computers, Ho suggested.

The research showed that boys were more likely than girls to use computers for playing games, while girls were slightly more likely to use them for homework and communicating with others. Both genders spent an equal number of hours on the computer per day.

To some degree, the findings support a previous study involving US students that showed heavier computer users did better in school and had more self-confidence than others.

But Ho cautioned against applying the results of his research to teens outside Hong Kong ``because of differences in (the) education system, gender roles, family environment and other factors.''

SOURCE: Journal of Adolescent Health 2001;29:258-266.

Reference Source 89

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