THE INTERNET AND CHILDREN'S RESPONSIBILITIES. An Analysis of the Relationship Between the Use of Internet and Everyday Responsibilities of Primary School Children in Zagreb

Abstract

This paper analyses the relationship between the use of Internet and everyday responsibilities of children of primary school age. The paper is based on data collected in empirical research on the use of Internet, conducted in March 2013 at a primary school in Zagreb. A group questionnaire was used to gather data among primary school students in higher grades/classes (N=272). The use of Internet was operationalised according to the following criteria: type and frequency of Internet use, everyday use, presence of parental control, presence and adherence to parental rules regarding Internet use, and the most frequented Internet sites. "Everyday responsibilities" of children included studying and homework assignments to be completed outside of school, as well as household chores. The research tested the general hypothesis that the use of Internet presents an important activity in children's everyday lives, which is, among other things, related to the amount of time they spend in fulfilling their everyday responsibilities. The results were further correlated with gender and school grade/class level. In addition, the research tested several working hypotheses regarding the relationship between Internet use and children's everyday responsibilities. The research confirmed most, but not all, of the working hypotheses.