Citation:

Van Deursen, A.J.A.M., Görzig, A., Van Delzen, M., Perik, H. & Stegeman, A.G. (2014). Primary School Children’s Internet Skills: A Report on Performance Tests of Operational, Formal, Information, and Strategic Internet Skills. International Journal of Communication, 8, 1327-1349.

Abstract:

The performance levels of fundamental (i.e. operational and formal) and advanced (i.e. information and strategic) Internet skills and their potential predictors were assessed among a sample of Dutch primary school children. The findings suggest that primary school children possess sufficient levels of fundamental but not advanced Internet skills and, hence, might not be able to make best use of important opportunities the Internet has to offer. Children employed very ineffective and inefficient search strategies and do not combine information to make a good decision. Contrary to previous survey research evidence, no performance differences among boys and girls were revealed when using actual performance tests. Training programs to support advanced Internet skills among primary school children should be considered.