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Adolescents’ time allocation and skill production

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  • Jürges, Hendrik
  • Khanam, Rasheda

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jürges, Hendrik & Khanam, Rasheda, 2021. "Adolescents’ time allocation and skill production," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:85:y:2021:i:c:s0272775721000960
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2021.102178
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    Cited by:

    1. Caetano, Carolina & Caetano, Gregorio & Nielsen, Eric, 2024. "Are children spending too much time on enrichment activities?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    2. Binelli, Chiara & Comi, Simona & Meschi, Elena & Pagani, Laura, 2024. "Every cloud has a silver lining: The role of study time and class recordings on university students’ performance during COVID-19," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 305-328.
    3. Nicole Black & Danusha Jayawardana & Gawain Heckley, 2023. "Children’s Time Allocation and the Socioeconomic Gap in Human Capital," Papers 2023-06, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Time use; Education; Screen time; Non-cognitive skills;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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