How boys and girls differ in using their cell phones may start as early as middle school. Sheila Cotten, a sociologist at University of Alabama at Birmingham, asked 1,000 middle school students to describe the ways they use their cell phones. The poll results gave Ms. Cotten some surprises.
The Gender Divide for Cell Phone Usage
There was not much difference in talking and texting usage between boys and girls. The big difference was that boys reported using the more advanced features more, to play games, share photos and videos, listen to music and send e-mails. Girls seemed to stick with just basic communication.
Ms. Cotten concluded girls needed more instruction on how to use the advanced features. “By these study results, we aren’t saying that parents should buy phones with fewer features for girls,” she said. “But it does point out how much more needs to be done to teach girls” about technology. “Females traditionally have perceived themselves as less skilled in terms of technology, especially with regard to computers.”
Isn’t this a bit stereotypic? It reminds me of the garbage I heard when growing up, “Girls just aren’t as good at science and math.” That was many years ago, and I had hoped the myth had fallen by the wayside. Perhaps it is a geographic problem. If we asked 1,000 California middle school students, or 1,000 students in New York, would the poll results be the same? Perhaps the gender brainwashing hasn’t evolved as much in the South.
I see California kids being much more sophisticated about technology in general. I can’t speak for other areas of the nation, but let’s step back a bit from the situation. Middle school students? Why do they even have cell phones? I can understand high school students having cell phones. They are busy with outside activities and jobs that parents need a way to connect with them. But a 10 or 11 year old should be a little more in hand, don’t ya think? What’s your take on it? Is it becoming more acceptable because of a big propaganda push by the cell phone service providers for “family plans?” Or is it just inevitable that technology trickle down will encompass the kids as well?
