Drs. Tao and Scott Publish Research on Technological Engagement in African American Adolescents

Drs. Tao, Scott, and McCarthy recently published “Do African American male and female adolescents differ in technological engagement?: The effects of parental encouragement and adolescents’ technological confidence” in a 2020 issue of Sex Roles. The study highlights that African American adolescents had less experience and interest in technical activities than with creative activities, especially among female adolescents. More parents encouraged adolescent sons but limited daughters to use technology, yet female adolescents reported greater technological confidence. However, parental encouragement was found to be positively associated with greater technological confidence in adolescents, which further correlates with more frequent technological engagement. Findings suggest that prospective gender studies and educational programs can benefit from considering the influences of parenting and gender on promoting African American adolescents’ technological involvement and confidence.

In addition, Drs. Tao and Scott are preparing a manuscript on factors that affect African American adolescents' experiences with direct online discrimination.