Table 1

 Parents and the internet: descriptive statistics

VariableResults*
Results are n (%) unless otherwise stated.
Internet access and use
    Has a computer at home797 (83)
    Has a computer at work544 (57)
    Has access to the internet830 (87)
    Has e-mail709 (75)
    Searched the internet for information immediately preceding their visit to the ED81 (8.5)
Frequency of internet use for health related information
    Uses the internet for health related information (% of those with access)535 (56)
    Once a day or more18 (2)
    Once every2–6 days53 (5)
    Once every week to a month186 (20)
    Less frequently278 (29)
Sociodemographic information
    Child’s age in years, mean (SD)5.3 (4.9)
    Father’s age, mean (SD)39 (7.9)
    Mother’s age, mean (SD)36 (7.8)
    Number of years in Canada (father), mean (SD)25.3 (15.0)
    Number of years in Canada (mother), mean (SD)24.2 (14.7)
    English as a primary language615 (65.0)