THE EFFECT OF HOME COMPUTER USE ON JORDANIAN CHILDREN: A PARENTAL PERSPECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of computer technology on Jordanian children from the perspectives of their parents. The sample of the study consisted of 127 participants. Each participant is a parent of a child or children who owned a personal computer. Our findings revealed some of the positive as well as negative changes that have been manifested as a result of using computers. The study showed that children's behavior changes as a result of computer use. For example, children became less active as they spend time on the computer and less time devoted to exercising and playing. The most essential finding of this study was that a large number of parents reported that their children familiarized themselves with computer functions and parts and technological and computer concepts, such as chatting, e-mail, and digital games.