Toys for Boys

Differences in cellphone habits can be seen in children as young as 11.

Differences in cellphone habits can be seen in children as young as 11, with boys more likely to use their mobiles for checking email and playing video games than girls, a new study finds.  But that doesn’t mean you should buy phones with fewer features for girls. A University of Alabama research team thinks the differences between young boys and girls are the result of upbringing. Boys are often taught to explore and be more creative with technology and not to be afraid to take things apart. So it leads to more advanced cellphone uses among boys. And while it may seem harmless that young girls ignore the more advanced features of their cellphones, one can worry that the attitude that it’s all right to do so can put girls at a disadvantage later on in life. It can impact the types of jobs and courses that girls take. If they are not as interested in exploring or taking apart technology, they may be less likely to take computer science, science and math courses. The team surveyed nearly 1,000 students between the ages of 11 and 13.  Boys scored higher for using their cellphones to play games, share pictures, listen to music and send emails.

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