The impact of digital infrastructure development on residents’ mental health: evidence from the UK’s working-age population

Summary

This study explores the potential causal relationship between broadband internet access/use and mental health among UK adults. Despite the widespread internet access, its impact on mental health remains a topic of ongoing investigation. This study compares mental health outcomes before (2000–2004) and after (2005–2008) broadband internet became common in the UK, using longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). To address endogeneity concerns, this paper utilizes exogenous variation in the quality of internet access, attributed to the technical features of the access technology, and employs a difference-in-differences research design. The findings suggest a positive causal effect on improved mental health outcomes for women, potentially driven by increased satisfaction in leisure activities.