Does the frequency of using Internet entertainment affect happiness? Evidence from China

Yunyuan Lin

Social Science Quarterly, 2024, vol. 105, issue 4, 1336-1350

Abstract: Objective In the context of rapid Internet development, studying individual happiness holds significant practical and academic value. Methods This article employs ordinary least squares to examine the impact of the frequency of Internet entertainment usage on happiness using data from the China Family Panel Studies spanning 2014 to 2018. Results The empirical results demonstrate a significant positive effect of the frequency of Internet entertainment usage on happiness. Specifically, each additional instance of using Internet entertainment is associated with a 4.2 percent increase in happiness. This finding remains robust after controlling for other variables, annual, and provincial fixed effects. To address potential endogeneity issues, the perceived importance of Internet entertainment to residents is used as an instrumental variable. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the frequency of Internet entertainment usage significantly affects happiness across different genders, ages, education levels, and employment statuses. Conclusion The implications of this study suggest that governments should focus on the development of Internet entertainment, explore its beneficial potentials further, minimize its drawbacks, and enhance the overall happiness of residents through their engagement with Internet entertainment, thereby allowing the Internet to better serve the populace.

Date: 2024
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