Adolescents’ time allocation and skill production

Hendrik Jürges and Rasheda Khanam
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Hendrik Juerges

Economics of Education Review, 2021, vol. 85, issue C

Abstract: Using comprehensive time use data pertaining to Australian children (aged 10 to 15), we study the link between time inputs – educational activities, sports, and screen time – and cognitive as well as non-cognitive skills. Potential endogeneity of time inputs is addressed by adjusting for a comprehensive set of covariates, including initial skills and past inputs and outputs. We support our identifying assumption with a recently developed omitted variable test that exploits bunching of time use for certain activities at zero minutes. Results on relative effects of educational activities, sports, and screen time are summarized in specification curves. Our evidence suggests that educational activities at home improve cognitive skills. Compared to sports, screen time – including computer gaming and social networks – does not seem to harm cognitive skills, but increases internalizing problems among girls.

Keywords: Time use; Education; Screen time; Non-cognitive skills (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I26 J13 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:85:y:2021:i:c:s0272775721000960

DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2021.102178

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