better late than never : survey responses

Andrew: 26
Education
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Grew up with parents and siblings
Dad went to college for Law, mom went to college for Education
11 y/o when first introduced to an actual PC.
Started using on a regular basis in Middle School.
Online now is mainly for myspace/facebook/email. Sometimes reading and shopping but to a minor degree.
Online use has changed slightly over the years, only with more social/recreational use instead of educational use.
Parents only attitude towards online use was making sure computer time was split fairly between siblings.
Their attitudes did not influence ability to do what was desired online.
Current attitudes of parents are unknown as all siblings no longer live at home.

Carrie: 24
Sociology/Art
Pleasant Hill, CA
Grew up first with just mom, then aunt and uncle and two cousins.
Mom and uncle went to college for a BA in Art (MA in Projet Mgmt) and a BS in
Accounting respectively.
First used a computer at the age of 10/11 for gaming and word processing.
First started using computer on a regular basis in 8th grade.
Primary use now is for research, school work, communication and networking.
Computer use used to be simply for work/school but has since changed into a tool for work and definitely more for leisure entertainment and pleasure. Uses chat programs now and didn’t before so she can keep up with friends and expand her social network.
Parents original attitude was that internet/computer use was fine, parents and guardians never had any problem with it.
Their attitude never limited, though never directly encouraged computer internet use.
Their attitude has changed over time to represent a more encouraging stance toward computer and internet use, often looking to the subject for information on how to do things, and using the subject as a resource for information on technology.


Chris: 24
Communications/Journalism
Herndon, VA
Grew up with mom, dad, two brothers and a sister.
Father got a BA in Philosophy, Mom got a BS in Math
First used a computer at age 5.
Started using a computer on a regular basis in high school.
Computer now used primarily for email/communication and writing news stories for work.
Use online has changed over time from entertainment and leisure to being used as a tool for work.
Parents were very encouraging from the outset at the adoption of a new form of technology.
Their attitude only helped more things to be done online and more computer use, it was not limiting in any way.
Current attitude has not differed, they remain encouraging and early adopters of all forms of technology.

Jordan: 19
Political Science
Pueblo, CO
Grew up with father.
Went to a technical school in FL for electrical engineering.
First used a computer at the age of 5 for light gaming.
Started using computers and internet around the age of 13.
Bulk of computer use now is for social communication, email and chatting, as well as homework – both research and word processing.
Previous use included only limited game playing, parents only allowed a half hour per day. Use now is all day continuous connectivity with chatting, working, entertainment, research, etc all simultaneously occurring.
Mom initially had the idea that computer use was very bad, assumed the worst (strangers, kidnapping by pedophiles, etc.) Father enjoyed internet and encouraged expanding use.
“My mom’s attitude has changed a lot. She likes the internet, and is a lot more literate with a computer. She can get online and play Pop-it all by herself now.”
Father’s job requires him to be on a computer all the time so he has remained positive towards the internet.