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TV Digital Transition in Italy and the Impact on Pupils' Academic Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Caria, Andrea

    (University of Cagliari)

  • Checchi, Daniele

    (University of Milan)

  • Paolini, Dimitri

    (University of Sassari)

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of television on student achievement in Italy, utilizing the staggered rollout of digital television across Italian provinces to isolate television's influence. Using data from national educational assessments (INVALSI) collected in four grades from 2009 to 2012, we uncover a negative effect of television on school performance by applying difference-in-differences techniques. We observe a positive correlation between TV viewing and test scores for a subset of the survey. Still, the negative impact is partly confirmed when instrumenting hours of view with the availability of digital channels. We also find significant heterogeneity: foreign-born pupils benefit from the greater availability of TV channels, while children with graduate parents experience less significant achievement losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Caria, Andrea & Checchi, Daniele & Paolini, Dimitri, 2025. "TV Digital Transition in Italy and the Impact on Pupils' Academic Performance," IZA Discussion Papers 17623, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17623
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Ruben Durante & Paolo Pinotti & Andrea Tesei, 2019. "The Political Legacy of Entertainment TV," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(7), pages 2497-2530, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    digital television switchover; school performance;

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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