The Effect of Broadband Internet on Mental Health-Related Disability Insurance Claims

Sofía Fernández Guerrico () and Ilan Tojerow ()
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Sofía Fernández Guerrico: University of Konstanz
Ilan Tojerow: Université Libre de Bruxelles

No 18130, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: We examine the causal impact of high-speed internet on adult mental health using administrative data from Belgium. We exploit predetermined telecommunications infrastructure and broadband technology's distance-sensitive nature for identification. Our difference-in-differences estimates show internet increased mental health-related disability insurance claims by 0.054 percentage points—a 31% increase relative to the control group. These findings are supported by increased antidepressant use at the municipality level. Results point to a work-related mechanism: effects are concentrated among knowledge workers and those in high work-from-home potential jobs. Time-use data show a substitution from leisure to work and less social interaction on weekends.

Keywords: disability insurance; internet; mental health; employment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H55 I1 J2 L86 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur and nep-lma
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