Here's what your future homebuyers are doing on the Internet.

The US Education Department analyzed computer and Internet use by children and adolescents in 2001 and found that 90 percent of young people between the ages of 5 and 17 use computers and nearly 60 percent of those who use computers access information on the Internet.

Both of these figures are higher than adult usage. On the young end, 25 percent of 5-year-olds are currently using the Internet on a regular basis. A second report from the agency, based on 2002 data, shows 99 percent of public schools have Internet access, up from 35 percent eight years ago. Students, by and large, are dominating the Internet population. By the time they're 10 years old, 60 percent of children use the Internet. That number grows to almost 80 percent for kids who are 16.

Children are often the early adopters of the majority of technological advancements. They have grown up with it and it is just second nature to them. Adults have a harder time adapting to the flow and techniques of new technology.

Why are they using it? The research report further shows that almost three in four use the Internet for help with school assignments, while more than half use it for writing e-mail, sending instant messages to friends or playing games.

Girls, who not long ago used computers and the Internet at lower rates than boys, have caught up. But there are other notable differences in the data results. Almost two-thirds of young white people use the Internet, but less than half of black people ages 5 to 17 do, and slightly more than a third of Hispanic young people log on. Part of the reason is access -- 80 percent of black students use computers at school, for example, but only 41 percent do so at home.

School has become the common denominator. From rural areas to the cities, almost every public school is wired for the Internet and schools now have one computer with Internet access for every five students, the research shows. As a result, more children and teens use computers at school than at home.

Robotic technology expanding through the lifespan

Children at the American Robotics Academy in the west Houston area work with gears, motors, wheels, axles, pulleys, microcomputers and pneumatics. The program teaches them much more than engineering, owner Dan Taglia said: "It's getting kids excited and motivated about a hands-on learning experience." And, of course, they like battling each other's robots.

The mission at American Robotics Academy is to excite, inspire, and motivate young people about the fun, importance and impact of robotics technology in today's world. They hope to stimulate their imagination and creativity by encouraging them to explore, experience, and express themselves through the hands-on interactive robotics program. Held in a friendly, sports-like atmosphere, they focus on team-building, problem solving, creativity and fun.

But the robots of tomorrow aren't just for children. According to Dan Kara, President of Robotics Trends, Inc. "Robotics technologies have now matured to the point where relatively inexpensive mobile robots, and other emerging robotic technologies, can be employed to entertain, educate, assist and defend us at home, at work or in the world at large. As such, a number of independent research studies predict that the personal, service and mobile robotics markets are now poised for explosive growth."

Roboticstrends.com is the initial offering in an ongoing series of publishing, event, marketing intelligence and consulting products that will be produced by the company. The company founders, Dan Kara, President, and Eliot Weinman, Publisher, are veteran technology media professionals who have previously founded and built two information technology integrated media firms.

Published: November 17, 2003

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