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Inequality in Internet Access in India: Implications for Learning during COVID

Author

Listed:
  • Datta, Sandip

    (University of Delhi)

  • Kingdon, Geeta G.

    (University College London)

Abstract

During COVID school closures, learning become mostly restricted to young people who had internet access at home. This paper examines internet access in India using National Sample Survey 2017-18. It probes the extent of inequality in young people's internet access across gender, caste, religion, rural-urban sector, private-public schools, and income group. Our triple-hurdle model of internet use shows that, ceteris paribus, there is a very significant digital divide across many of the social and economic groups. Additionally, intra-household analysis using family fixed effects estimation shows that girls have significantly lower ability to use internet vis-à-vis their brothers within the household.

Suggested Citation

  • Datta, Sandip & Kingdon, Geeta G., 2022. "Inequality in Internet Access in India: Implications for Learning during COVID," IZA Discussion Papers 15387, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amitava Saha, 2013. "An Assessment of Gender Discrimination in Household Expenditure on Education in India," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 220-238, June.
    2. Geoffrey Lancaster & Pushkar Maitra & Ranjan Ray, 2008. "Household Expenditure Patterns and Gender Bias: Evidence from Selected Indian States," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 133-157.
    3. Azam, Mehtabul & Kingdon, Geeta Gandhi, 2013. "Are Girls the Fairer Sex in India? Revisiting Intra-Household Allocation of Education Expenditure," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 143-164.
    4. Akansha Batra & Indrani Gupta & Abhiroop Mukhopadhyay, 2014. "Does discrimination drive gender differences in health expenditure on adults: Evidence from Cancer patients in rural India," Discussion Papers 14-03, Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

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