National Report

Poland

PATCH-WORLd – PArents and CHildren Working, ORganising and Learning

together
135285-LLP-1-2007-1-IT-KA3-KA3MP
Grant Agreement 2007- 3620/001-001
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information
contained therein

1
 REPORT AFTER CARRYING OUT RESEARCH
QUESTIONNAIRES AMONG FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
AGED 11/12-18 YEARS OLD CONCERNING ICT USE

Partner in charge: Business and Development Center-BD Center

UL. Wieniawskiego 56b/5, 35-603 Rzeszow, Poland

Contact: Magdalena Malinowska, tel/fax: +48 177835730

email: mmalinowska@bdcenter.eu

Date of carrying out the research questionnaires: 2008-06-16 do 2008-

06-29
Number of respondents: 15
Report date: 2008-07-01

PART I
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBLEM
Sending out first Internet letters from Poland (there were emails from
Physics Department of Warsaw University to Computer Center of University In
Copenhagen), 17 August, 1991 is recognized as beginning of Internet in
Poland. It has been 17 years since that time. Internet became widely available,
very important source of information with many users. There are many
research carried out about the Internet use in society. In this report we
mention the most relevant ones.

According to report of Center for Social Opinion Research, carried

out from September to November 2007 on representative random-address
sample of over 38 000 Polish adults, 40,1% of families has Internet access. In
over half of Polish households there is a personal computer and majority of
Polish people have a mobile phone (77,6%) or regular telephone (67,6%).

2
 While, according to research done by NetTrack, carried out between
March and May 2007 by SMG/KRC, over half of Internet users (64,8%) use
Internet every day or almost every day and 19,2% use Internet several times
a week. 7,8% of respondents use Internet once a week. Additionally, the
research also concerned main Internet use among adults and children: (87%
of adults use Internet in order to find information, 93% of children use it for
games). Next thematic blocks of the ICT research are as follows:
communication and family relations, games and entertainment, education and
safety and security.

There was a very interesting Project „Playing and Learning” in

frames of programme eTwinning. The project was realized by Public
Preschool and addressed to children aged 5 - 12 years old. It was realized
together with Spanish partner Escuela Infantil Gloria Fuertes; Gijón, Spain.

Project had the following aims:

1. ICT and English language use in education of small children.
2. Pedagogic experiences exchange.
3. Elaboration of Polish version of multimedia program based on innovative
program of Maria Piedad Avello „English for Little Children”.

Project had advantages for all participants of education process.

Advantages for children:

- children have a great time,
- they use ICT for communication and information exchange,
- they use English for communication,
- they have a chance to acquire skills of planning, responsibility in doing tasks,

- They have a possibility to experiment,

- manual skills, concentration, skills of learning and team playing.

3
Advantages for teachers:
- increase of ICT skills,
- knowledge of Spanish education system,
- Exchange of good practices,
- realization of active participation of children in education process.

Advantages for parents:

- participation in school program realization,
- helping in decision making, organization and preparation of events,
- influence on children education and good contact with school.

According to research realized by Gemius for Foundation

Nobody’s Children in October 2007 every tenth Internet user in Poland is a
child aged 7-14 years old. The youngest Internet users take advantage of the
Net longer and in more intensive way. Internet for children means first of all
entertainment: 70 % of them visit Web sites with online games.

Almost 10 hours per year is a average time children aged 7-14 lat spent using
Internet. Although boys are majority in this age group (53 %) than girls (47
%), the girls spent more time on Internet (29 hours 40 min. in June 2007).

Every second child-Internet user is so called a heavy user (use Internet every
day or almost every day). What is typical for Internet users in this age group
7-14 comparing to whole population is large number of users using Internet
several times a week (34 proc.). It shows that large number of children is not
interested in Internet or they are time restricted by adults.

The research also show that the largest percentage of Internet users aged 7-
14 make rural inhabitants (28 %). However, children living in agglomerations
(over 500 000 inhabitants) – comparing to peers from smaller cities – spent
the highest amount of time online (average 33 hours and 42 min.). What’s
keeping children occupied online? Majority of their time online young Internet

4
users-respondents divide between ENTERTAINMENT (6 hours and 55 min.) and
SOCIETIES (4 hours and 45 min.).

Looking for INFORMATION on Internet is not the most important issue for
children. Category „Information, social issues, media” has low interest among
young Internet users.

The youngest Internet users readily use online games – 70 % of children

active online spent their time playing online games.

According to research done by educational portal INTERKL@SA,

96% of Polish pupils use Internet, mainly browsers and Internet
communicators. 90% of pupils have mobile phones and use them
mainly for sending SMSs. The research results are very good source of
information for communication and educational activities addressed to
young people.

Children use Internet mainly at home (53% have computer and Internet at
home), or at school (43,5% of children use computer at school several times a
week). Internet is used by respondents for learning as well as for
entertainment - declare 52,9% of respondents, which is a good results of
edutainment development in Poland.

77% of pupils use Internet browsers and 60% use communicators very often.
Children have average number over 20 peers in contact lists, usually the same
persons are on their mobile address book. 63% of respondents use
communicators in order to communicate with friends.

90% of respondents own mobile phones which are mainly user to send SMS
(85% of respondents). Mobile phones help in contacts with parents (57%),
used for flirting (52%). According to research, young people do not use chats
(13% of respondents); 36% of respondents send emails regularly. 18% of
respondents write blogs.

5
Online games are very popular. 49% of pupils play often or very often.
According to research, parents are very liberal toward Internet use by their
children. 79% of parents allow children to use communicators, 71% - to chat,
90% - to send emails, 78% - play online, 76% - download music and films.
Some parents sometimes (17%), often or very often (10%) forbid children to
visit some web sites or to spend to much time by computer.

Research was realized in June 2006. 638 pupils took part in the research aged
12 – 18 and 25 pupils were interviewed in a detailed way.

CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS. Warsaw School of

Economics opened courses for pupils of fifth and sixth grade of
elementary schools in frames of Children University of Economics.
Courses are conducted by academic teachers of Warsaw School of
Economics and experts from Foundation for the Promotion and
Accreditation of Economic Education. Program is available for children
from Warsaw and vicinity.

Each semester will contain 6 meetings – interesting lectures and workshops

promoting economic among children. First courses started April 1st 2008.
Participation in the Program is free of charge.

Techniques of effective learning were also planned and for willing children quiz
during the last meeting. The best student of the University will receive
notebook. Parents can participate in special meetings for them how to shape
children’s attitudes. Additionally, participants can return to the lectures thanks
to video films published on Internet. More information: www.uniwersytet-
dzieciecy.pl

OTHER PROJECT AND LINKS CONCERNING ICT AND FAMILY:

Research concerning Europe:

http://www.egospodarka.pl/19107,Spolecznosci-internetowe-przyszloscia-
sieci,1,39,1.html

6
Project „Tackling digital exclusion –eInclusion” 2008-2013
http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/article/2365847_Prawie_3645_mln_euro_na_be
zplatny_dostep_do_internetu.htm

Internet as source of information:

http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/article/2303263_Internet_zrodlem_biezacych_in
formacji.htm

Research about on-line Internet and parents or grandparents:

http://www.ankietka.pl/survey/results/id/4830/badanie-internet-a-rodzice-lub-
dziadkowie.html.html

Use of ICT in enterprises in 2007:

http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_3733_PLK_HTML.htm

Poland in Internet:
http://technologie.gazeta.pl/technologie/1,81010,5106492.html
http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/article/2296267_Prawie_polowa_Polakow_ma_w
_domu_internet.htm

Report of Main Statistical Office about ICT use in 2006:

http://www.trendomierz.net/show/701198/raport-gus-wykorzystanie-
technologii-it-w-2006-r.html

Research and analysis (Market ICT) :: ITbiznes.pl:

http://itbiznes.pl/list7-37.html

7
PART II
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS

The research focuses on families. Families are defined as: consisting of two
parents (married or unmarried) but also of one parent (mother or father) with
the (biological or non-biological) child/children, residing in the same home’.
The child/children ranged in age from eleven/twelve to eighteen years.
The number of families that took part in the research in Poland is 15.

Five children have no siblings, six have one sister or brother, four have two
siblings. Twelve families consist of two parents and the last three of only
mother (single parent). Families – respondents differ also in place of living.
Research questionnaires were carried out in two regions: małopolskie region
(13 families) and podkarpackie (2 families). Three families live in regions’
capitals: Rzeszów and Kraków, six in town with about 120 000 inhabitants
-Tarnów. Next two families live in town with 28 000 inhabitants (Gorlice), and
the last four live in rural areas (Skrzyszów and Łopoń). Level of education of
respondents is different. Eight adults have higher education, four – secondary,
three – basic vocational. All families have at home computer with Internet
access.

PART III
MAIN REPORT

1. FAMILY GENERAL USE OF ICT

A. What is the range of activities undertaken through ICT both

cross households and within the families?
Majority of respondents restricted the answer to the degree they use Internet.
Eight respondents (53%) visit Internet every day. Three respondents (20%)

8
use Internet several times a week, one person (7%) admitted to use Internet
less than once a week and another respondent (7%) do not use Internet at all.
Two respondents (13%) had a difficulty to describe range of activities
undertaken through ITC.

Graph 1A
Difficult to describe
Do not use Internet 13%
7%
Less than once a
week
7% Every day
53%
Several times a week
20%

B. What are the most common ICT use performed by adults in your
family:
• news and information – 13 respondents (87%)
• communication with others – 10 respondents (67%)

• shopping – 5 respondents (33%)

• entertainment, games – 5 respondents (33%)

• preparing materials for work – 4 respondents (27%)

• paying bills – 3 respondents (20%)

• to store data – 3 respondents (20%)
• making flight reservation – 1 respondent (7%)
• actualization of web site – 1 respondents (7%)

C. What are the most common ICT use performer by children in

your family:

9
 • games – 14 respondents (93%)
• information (including finding information for school housework) – 12
respondents (80%)
• communication – 9 respondents (60%)

• downloading files, for examples music – 4 respondents (27%)

• solving tests – 1 respondent (7%)

D. What are the most common ICT use performer together (parents
and children)?
• games – 9 respondents (60%)
• getting information – 6 respondents (40%)

• communication – 5 respondents (33%)

• shopping – 2 respondents (13%)

• making vacation reservation – 1 respondent (7%)
• none – 1 respondent (7%)

2. FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH ICT

A. What are the main advantages that ICT bring and can bring
to your family?
• easy access to information – 11 respondents (73%)
• facilitate contact with other people and the world (also with the family)
– 9 respondents (60%)
• easy access to online banking – 3 respondents (20%)
• widens knowledge and develops skills – 3 respondents (20%)
• makes possible to shop anytime and without leaving the house – 2
respondents (13%)

10
• tightens family relationships – 1 respondent (7%)
• cheap or even free telephone calls – 1 respondent (7%)
• good way to spend free time – 1 respondent (7%)

B. What are the main disadvantages that ICT bring and can
bring to your family?
• a devourer of time – 9 respondents (60%)

• dangerous for children – 6 respondents (40%)

• it can be addictive – 4 respondents (27%)

• health problems such as eyes and spine – 3 respondents (20%)

• weakens family relationships - 2 respondents (13%)

• shopping on Internet is too easy – 1 respondent (7%)

• false information on the web – 1 respondent (7%)

• it should not replace relationships „in real world ” – 1 respondent (7%)

• it is difficult to say – 1 respondent (7%)

C. How ICT improve communication between the members of

your family?
• communication is constant, often, faster and cheaper – 8 respondents
(53%)
• It does not improve – 4 respondents (27%)

• family joint time spending – 1 respondent (7%)

• tightens family relations – 1 respondent (7%)

D. Can you identify the gap in the level of ICT literacy

between parents and children?
• children have higher computer skills – 9 respondents (60%)

• adults are more computer literate – 2 respondents (13%)

• the ICT level is the same – 1 respondent (7%)

11
• I can not define – 1 respondent (7%)

• adults use ICT for work and children for entertainment – 1 respondent
(7%)
• adults handle more things by Internet – 1 respondent (7%)

3. ICT GAMING AND RECREATION

A. What’s the role of the ICT games in your family?

• games has a big role – 4 respondents (27%)
• they are one of the way to spend free time – 3 respondents (20%)
• average role – 2 respondents (13%)
• small role – 2 respondents (13%)
Graph 3B
nobody
• difficult to say – 2 respondents (13%) 7%
Only children
20%
• none – 1 respondent (7%)

Children and adults

73%
B. Who perform the games?
• children – 3 respondent (20%)
• children and parents – 11 respondent (73%)
• nobody – 1 respondent (7%)

C. Do you know which games perform your children?

• yes – 11 respondent (73%)

• not always – 2 respondent (13%)

• no – 1 respondent (7%)

• do not concern – 1 respondent (7%)

12
 D. Do you know the games contents?
• yes – 12 respondents (80%)

• I know content of some games – 2 respondents (13%)

• do not concern – 1 respondent (7%)

E. Are you able to understand the time your children spend

playing video games?
• 3 hours/day – 1 respondent (7%)
• 20 hours/week – 1 respondent (7%)
• 2 hours/day – 4 respondents (27%)
• 5-10 hours/week – 1 respondent (7%)
• 1 hour/day – 4 respondents (27%)
• 5 hours/week – 1 respondent (7%)
• 0,5 hours/day – 1 respondent (7%)

• during vacation and weekends about 1 hour/day – 1 respondent (7%)

• does not concern – 1 respondent (7%)

Do you accept that?
• Yes – 12 respondents (80%)
• No – 2 respondents (13%)
• Does not concern – 1 respondent (7%)

F. Do you play video games with your children?

• yes – 7 respondents (47%)
• sometimes – 2 respondents (13%)
• seldom – 2 respondents (13%)
• no – 3 respondents (20%)
• do not concern – 1 respondent (7%)

4. EDUCATION THROUGH ICT

13
 A. Do you know the use and the potential use of the ICT tools
for education?
• Yes – 12 respondents (80%)
• No – 1 respondent (7%)
• Rather no – 2 respondent (13%)

B. Do you help your children in finding educational

information in Internet?
• Yes – 12 respondents (80%)
• No – 3 respondents (20%)

C. Have you ever performer an online training activities? And

your children?
• No/no – 14 respondents (93%)
• No/yes – 1 respondent (7%)

D. Do you interact with your children concerning the use of

ICT for educational reason?
• Yes – 10 respondents (66%)
• No – 4 respondents (27%)
• Sometimes – 1 respondent (7%)

5. ICT SAFETY AND SECURITY

A. Do you know the dangers of the Internet?

• Yes – 11 respondents (73%)
• Rather yes – 4 respondents (27%)

14
 B. Do you talk about them with your children?
• Yes – 11 respondents (73%)
• Not much – 3 respondents (20%)
• No – 1 respondent (7%)

C. Do you entourage your children to look at the information

they find on the web critically?
• Yes – 12 respondents (80%)
• No – 3 respondent (20%) Graph 5C
NO
20%

YES
80%

D. Do you have the basic computer security systems in place?

• Yes – 9 respondents (60%)
• No – 4 respondents (27%)
• Only the antivirus – 2 respondents (13%)

E. Do you track and monitor your children’s online activity

and movements?
• Yes – 8 respondents (53%)
• Sometimes – 2 respondents (13%)
• No – 5 respondents (33%)

15
 F. In which way?
• Children use Internet in the presents of adults – 5 respondents (33%)
• We check archives and history of opened Web sites – 2 respondents
(13%)
• Filtering of emails and talking with children – 1 respondent (7%)

• Through parents supervision program – 1 respondent (7%)

• Checking and observation – 1 respondent (7%)

• Do not concern – 5 respondent (33%)

16