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Changes in early adolescents' time use after acquiring their first mobile phone. An empirical test of the displacement hypothesis

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  • Leo Röhlke

Abstract

This study empirically tests the displacement hypothesis, examining whether adolescents' mobile phone use displaces time spent on activities that benefit cognitive development and academic performance. Longitudinal time-use data from a sample of Australian early adolescents (ages 10-13) and a difference-in-differences design are used to model the effect of first mobile phone acquisition on allocation of time to various activities. The results challenge the displacement hypothesis, providing no evidence that mobile phone acquisition displaces enrichment, physical activity or sleep time in early adolescence. However, acquiring a mobile phone is associated with a significant reduction in time spent watching TV, movies, or videos. This suggests the rise in adolescent mobile phone use may partly represent shifting away from traditional screen activities rather than displacing cognitively beneficial activities. Guidelines for parents recommending later ages of mobile phone acquisition are unlikely to affect early adolescents' time spent on non-screen activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Leo Röhlke, 2024. "Changes in early adolescents' time use after acquiring their first mobile phone. An empirical test of the displacement hypothesis," University of Bern Social Sciences Working Papers 49, University of Bern, Department of Social Sciences.
    • Handle: RePEc:bss:wpaper:49
    DOI: 10.48350/199760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mario Fiorini & Michael P. Keane, 2014. "How the Allocation of Children's Time Affects Cognitive and Noncognitive Development," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 32(4), pages 787-836.
    2. Stijn Baert & Sunčica Vujić & Simon Amez & Matteo Claeskens & Thomas Daman & Arno Maeckelberghe & Eddy Omey & Lieven De Marez, 2020. "Smartphone Use and Academic Performance: Correlation or Causal Relationship?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(1), pages 22-46, February.
    3. Candice Odgers, 2018. "Smartphones are bad for some teens, not all," Nature, Nature, vol. 554(7693), pages 432-434, February.
    4. Gregorio Caetano & Josh Kinsler & Hao Teng, 2019. "Towards causal estimates of children's time allocation on skill development," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(4), pages 588-605, June.
    5. Rebeca Suárez-Álvarez & Tamara Vázquez-Barrio & Belinda de Frutos-Torres, 2022. "Parental Digital Mediation According to the Age of Minors: From Restraint and Control to Active Mediation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-12, April.
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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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