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The Effects of Computers on Children’s Social Development and School Participation: Evidence from a Randomized Control Experiment

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  • Robert W. Fairlie
  • Ariel Kalil

Abstract

Concerns over the perceived negative impacts of computers on social development among children are prevalent but largely uninformed by plausibly causal evidence. We provide the first test of this hypothesis using a large-scale randomized control experiment in which more than one thousand children attending grades 6-10 across 15 different schools and 5 school districts in California were randomly given computers to use at home. Children in the treatment group are more likely to report having a social networking site, but also report spending more time communicating with their friends and interacting with their friends in person. There is no evidence that computer ownership displaces participation in after-school activities such as sports teams or clubs or reduces school participation and engagement.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert W. Fairlie & Ariel Kalil, 2016. "The Effects of Computers on Children’s Social Development and School Participation: Evidence from a Randomized Control Experiment," NBER Working Papers 22907, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:22907
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    Cited by:

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    2. Elena Claudia Meroni & Daniela Piazzalunga & Chiara Pronzato, 2022. "Allocation of time and child socio-emotional skills," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1155-1192, December.
    3. Hamard Bruno & Pascal Habihirwe, 2023. "The Contribution Of Ict And Distance Education On The Learning Of University Students: The Practical Case University Of Rwanda (Ur), (2019 - 2022)," Working papers 2023-45-03, Voice of Research.
    4. Ofer Malamud, 2019. "The Effect of Home Computers and the Internet on Children’s Human Capital Development," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 17(02), pages 34-40, August.
    5. Denis Fougère & Ghazala Azmat & Alexis Lermite & Clémence Lobut, 2022. "L’impact du numérique sur les apprentissages des élèves : évaluation d’une politique d’équipement à grande échelle. Ensemble des résultats au cycle 4," Working Papers halshs-03915750, HAL.
    6. Cyprien Sikubwabo1 & Pascal Habihirwe, 2022. "Effects Of Information And Communication Technology On Students’ Learning Behaviour In Rwandan Secondary Schools In Musanze District," Working papers 2022-42-02, Voice of Research.
    7. Kessel, Dany & Hardardottir, Hulda Lif & Tyrefors, Björn, 2020. "The impact of banning mobile phones in Swedish secondary schools," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    8. Luísa Campos & Lurdes Veríssimo & Bárbara Nobre & Catarina Morais & Pedro Dias, 2021. "Protective Factors in the Use of Electronic Media According to Youth and Their Parents: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.
    9. Malamud, Ofer & Cueto, Santiago & Cristia, Julian & Beuermann, Diether W., 2019. "Do children benefit from internet access? Experimental evidence from Peru," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 41-56.
    10. Elena Claudia Meroni & Daniela Piazzalunga & Chiara Pronzato, 2019. "Use of extra-school time and child behaviour," FBK-IRVAPP Working Papers 2019-02, Research Institute for the Evaluation of Public Policies (IRVAPP), Bruno Kessler Foundation.
    11. repec:cte:werepe:27163 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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