THE EFFECTS OF COMPUTERS ON KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN’S SOCIAL SKILLS
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of computer use on children’s social skills in kindergarten. Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K), conducted by National Center for Educational Statistics, was utilized to analyze differential effects of home and school computer use on kindergarten social skills gains. The sample included 12,929 kindergarten children. Results indicated that children who use computers more proficiently demonstrated less problem behaviors and better social skills, rated by their teachers.