Background
Definition
Children who have access to a computer at home are defined as those living in a household with at least one computer.
Wording of the question has changed slightly over time, and some year-to-year changes in estimates may be a result of changes in wording. From 1984 to 1997, the question was, “Is there a computer in this household?” In 2000, the question was changed to, “Is there a personal computer or laptop in this household?” In 2001, the question was changed to, “Is there a computer or laptop in this household?” In 2010, the question was changed to, “At home, do you or any member of this household own or use a desktop, laptop, netbook or notebook computer?” In 2011, the question was changed to, “How many desktop, laptop, netbook, notebook, and tablet computers are there in use in this household?” In 2013, the question was changed to, “Does anyone in this household use a desktop, laptop, netbook or notebook computer, or a tablet computer such as an Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy, at home?” In 2015, the question was changed to, “Do you use a desktop, laptop or notebook, or tablet or e-reader?”.
Children and youth who use the internet at home are defined as those who answered yes to whether they access the internet at home; question wording has changed slightly since 1997. Since 2011, the question has specifically referred to accessing the internet at home using mobile devices.
Citation
Child Trends. (2018). Home computer access and internet use. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/home-computer-access.
Endnotes
1. Hispanic youth may be of any race.