A BEJEAP Contributions article.

Abstract

In the light of recent policies aiming at raising the computer literacy of young generations and at reducing the digital divide, this paper analyzes to what extent the probability of an individual having computer abilities is affected by the computer skills of her household's other members, i.e. if there are significant within household peer effects. We show how peer effects can be identified when skills are measured with a continuous variable and the learning costs are increasing and convex. Our application on a sample of Italian households indicates that peer abilities within a family significantly increase the individual probability of being skilled.

Submitted: July 4, 2005 · Accepted: September 19, 2006 · Published: October 31, 2006

Originally published in Contributions to Economic Analysis & Policy.

Recommended Citation

Miniaci, Raffaele and Parisi, Maria Laura (2006) "Social Interactions and the Digital Divide: Identification and Policy Implications," Contributions to Economic Analysis & Policy: Vol. 5 : Iss. 1, Article 29.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/bejeap/contributions/vol5/iss1/art29