MEDIA USE AMONG BOYS AND GIRLS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SAN JOSÉ

Abstract

Using a self-report instrument, 288 Costa Rican children from public and private
elementary schools in San José were asked to describe how they use different mass media
technologies in their everyday life. Results show TV as the most used communication
technology across schools and genders. At the same time, data reveal a clear gap in the
access of mass media, especially of new information technologies, against children from
public elementary schools. Boys and girls slightly differ in their pattern of mass media
use and access. Most children report that their parents control the type of TV programs
they watch; however, there is no clear tendency regarding the regulation of the amount of
time they are aloud to watch TV.