Soziologisches Wissen

Kinder und Jugendliche, die ausgiebig moderne Kommunikationstechnologien im Internet nutzen, weisen bessere Schreibfertigkeiten auf als weniger webaffine Kinder. Zu diesem Ergebnis kommt die jüngst veröffentlichte Studie “Young people’s writing: Attitudes, behaviour and the role of technology” des britischen National Literacy Trust, die das Online-Nutzungsverhalten von insgesamt 3.001 Kindern im Alter zwischen neun und 16 Jahren untersucht hat.

• 75% of young people said that they write regularly. Technology-based formats were most frequently written. For example, 82% of young people wrote text messages at least once a month, 73% wrote instant messages (such as messages on AIM or MSN), and 63% wrote on a social networking site. Of non-technology based writing, 77% wrote notes or answers in class or for homework at least once a month followed by 52% writing notes to other people.

• 56% of young people said they had a profile on a social networking site, such as Bebo or Facebook. 24% said that they have their own blog. While frequently vilified in the media as ‘dumbing down’ young people’s literacy, this research shows that technology offers different writing opportunities for young people, which is seen in a link between blogging and (self-reported) writing ability and enjoyment of writing. For example, young people who write on a blog were much more likely than young people who do not write on a blog to enjoy writing in general (57% vs. 40%) and to enjoy writing for family/friends in particular (79% vs. 55%). Young people with a blog  (61%) as well as young people with a profile on a social networking site (56%) also displayed greater confidence, believing themselves to be good writers. Blog owners and young people with a social networking profile were also more prolific writers than their counterparts. They held more positive attitudes towards writing and computer use, and viewed writers more favourably.
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Demnach hat die aktive Beteiligung an sozialen Netzwerken, Instant-Messaging-Diensten, Online-Chats oder Blogs klar positive Effekte auf Heranwachsende.

“Unsere Forschungsergebnisse legen ein starkes Korrelationsverhältnis zwischen Kindern, die moderne Kommunikationstechnologien nutzen und einem weiter gefassten Verhaltensmuster in Bezug auf Schreib- und Lesefertigkeiten nahe”, erklärt Jonathan Douglas, Director des National Literacy Trust, gegenüber BBC News. Die diesem Zusammenhang zu Grunde liegende Formel sei dabei recht einfach. “Je mehr verschiedene Kommunikationsformen genutzt werden, desto besser sind die entsprechenden Fähigkeiten der Kinder”, erläutert Douglas.
(Quelle: pte austria)