ABSTRACT
For many years, television has dominated the children’s media landscape. In the last decade, however, computer-based technologies have been vying for, and winning, considerable portions of children’s leisure time. Although television remains ubiquitous in American homes, children of all ages have readily adopted computers both at home and in school. Ninety-eight percent of American households with children own at least one television; 70% own at least one computer; 68% own video games; and 52% have online access (Woodard & Gridina, 2000). Children between the ages of 2 and 17 spend an average of 4½ hours a day in front of screens, watching television, playing video games, and using the computer (Woodard & Gridina, 2000).
