Working Paper: NBER ID: w23982
Authors: Francisco Gallego; Ofer Malamud; Cristian Popeleches
Abstract: This paper explores how parental information and control can influence children’s internet use in Chile. We designed and implemented a set of randomized interventions whereby approximately 7700 parents were sent weekly SMSs messages with (i) specific information about their children’s internet use, and/or (ii) encouragement and assistance with the installation of parental control software. We separate the informational content from the cue associated with SMS messages and vary the strength of the cues by randomly assigning whether parents received messages in a predictable or unpredictable fashion. Our analysis yields three main findings. First, we find that messages providing parents with specific information affects parental behavior and reduces children’s internet use by 6-10 percent. Second, we do not find significant impacts from helping parents directly control their children’s internet access with parental control software. Third, the strength of the cue associated with receiving a message has a significant impact on internet use.
Keywords: Parental Monitoring; Internet Use; Information Control; Cues
JEL Codes: D82; I15; J12; J13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Reduction in children's internet use (L96) | Change in intrahousehold equilibrium regarding internet use (D19) |
| Receipt of information messages (L96) | Increased parental involvement (I24) |
| Increased parental involvement (I24) | Shift toward less permissive parenting styles (J12) |
| Parents with previously low perceptions of children's internet use (L96) | Stronger impacts from interventions (F69) |
| Sending specific information messages to parents (Z00) | Reduction in children's internet use (L96) |
| Providing parents with assistance in installing parental control software (J13) | No significant impact on children's internet use behavior (D19) |
| Cues associated with SMS messages (L96) | Greater reductions in internet use (L96) |