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Cited by 4Impact of Technology on AdolescentsSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesChild Development and Digital Technology

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Broadband Internet Access and Adolescent Mental Health in the U.S.

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Churchill, Brandyn, Johnson, Kathryn·2026·National Bureau of Economic Research
DOI 10.3386/w34614
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Abstract

Broadband internet has become a critical component of U.S. infrastructure, but policymakers are increasingly concerned that the widespread adoption of this technology has adversely affected adolescent mental health.To test this hypothesis, we use 2009-2019 National and State Youth Risk Behavior Survey data and leverage the nationwide rollout of broadband internet.First, we show that adolescents in states with greater broadband internet access reported spending more time online.Next, we find that a one-standard-deviation increase in broadband internet access was associated with a 9.3-16.5-percentincrease in adolescent suicide ideation.While we document increases in suicide ideation for both girls and boys, the results are most pronounced for adolescent girls.Exploring potential mechanisms, we show that greater broadband internet access was associated with increases in cyberbullying and body dissatisfaction among adolescent girls and a reduction in the likelihood that adolescent boys reported getting an adequate amount of sleep.

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Cited by

Metadata

Authors
Churchill, B., & Johnson, K.
Affiliations
American University (US)
Corresponding author
Churchill, Brandyn
ORCID
Churchill, Brandyn
Venue
National Bureau of Economic Research
Publisher
National Bureau of Economic Research
Published
2026-01
DOI
10.3386/w34614
OpenAlex
W7118982594
Cited by
4
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 4
Type
report
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • National Bureau of Economic Research (publishedVersion)
  • SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
Keywords
broadband access, adolescent mental health, suicidal ideation, online time, cyberbullying, body dissatisfaction, sleep adequacy, adolescent girls, youth risk behavior

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