RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Television, Cognitive Ability, and High School Completion
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0316-7819r1
DO 10.3368/jhr.54.2.0316.7819R1
A1 Øystein Hernæs
A1 Simen Markussen
A1 Knut Røed
YR 2017
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2017/10/02/jhr.54.2.0316.7819R1.abstract
AB We exploit supply-driven heterogeneity in the expansion of cable television across Norwegian municipalities to identify developmental effects of commercial television exposure during childhood. We find that higher exposure to commercial television reduces cognitive ability and high school graduation rates for boys. The effects appear to be driven by consumption of light television entertainment crowding out more cognitively stimulating activities. Point estimates suggest that the effects are most negative for boys from more educated families. We find no effect on high school completion for girls, pointing to the growth of non-educational media as a factor in the widening educational gender gap.