Internet Promotes Literacy, Study Says

The Internet can promote the literacy development of young adults, according to a study by Dr Jen Scott Curwood from the University of Sydney, Australia.

The ongoing study, which interviewed teenagers aged 13 to 17 from Australia, Canada, and the United States, found that the Web -- in moderation -- could be an effective tool in fostering literacy skills among youths.

"Evidence suggests that when young people meaningfully engage with online content, it supports the acquisition of critical literacy skills." (See also "Keep Kids Safe Online.")

Curwood analyzed the participation of teenagers in fan-created sites of young adult literature, such as Mockingjay.net, ThePotterGames.net and HungerGamesTrilogy.net.

"Young people fall in love with these books and seek out other fans online," she said.

"In their own time they write Hunger Games-inspired fiction, create art, produce videos, compose music, and design role-playing games.

"These digital literacy practices are valuable in their own right, but they also support young people's engagement with print-based literature."

Curwood suggested that parents support their teen's literacy development through popular books, such as those listed on the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards and the American Library Association's Alex Award and Printz Award.

"Many young adults are inspired to write fan fiction based on their favorite books, television shows, and films. FanFiction.net is a popular example of this," Curwood said.

In November 2011, a study found that Aussie kids were among the earliest and prolific users of the Internet globally.

Australian children were on average younger than 8 years old when they started going online, with 76 per cent of Australian kids and young teenagers reportedly surfing the Web for an average time of 1.5 hours per day.

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