Boys tend to use computers for problem solving and programming. Girls tend to use computers for word processing. Boys are far more likely to enroll in advanced computing courses and also have more experience with computers outside the classroom than do girls. The technology gap seems to widen as students move through the system beginning in late elementary grades. By the time students reach college age, most girls have opted out of computer science or engineering courses of study which can lead to well-paying jobs in the future.
Many theories address why girls seem to lose interest in computer use after early elementary school.
It has been suggested that the predominantly male creators of software design programs that appeal to their personal tastes but often aren t of interest to girls. The desire to be politically correct when developing software for girls also raises an issue. In an effort to avoid reinforcing stereotypes about girls and how they play and learn, developers of educational software and games may find themselves disregarding the very topics their target audience tends to be interested in. Other researchers point out that boys tend to be more competitive and to take over learning situations, forcing girls to take a back seat in problem-solving situations involving computer use. Many new Web sites are designed for a female audience.