The Social Organisation of Help during Young Children's Use of the Computer

Abstract

This article examines some of the ways that young children seek and provide help through social interaction during use of the computer in the home. Although social interaction is considered an important aspect of young children's use of computers, there are still few studies that provide detailed analysis of how young children accomplish that social interaction. Conversation analysis of two young children's social interactions during help provides descriptions of the methods and resources used by them to mutually accomplish their activity. Discussion of specific ways of helping establishes how talk and interaction between children may contribute to computer use and acquisition of on-screen reading and writing practices.