Home Computer Use and the Development of Human Capital *
利用罗马尼亚的电脑购买券项目，通过断点回归设计估计家用电脑对儿童学业成绩、计算机技能和认知能力的影响，发现成绩下降但计算机技能提升，认知能力也有改善。
This paper uses a regression discontinuity design to estimate the effect of home computers on child and adolescent outcomes by exploiting a voucher program in Romania. Our main results indicate that home computers have both positive and negative effects on the development of human capital. Children who won a voucher to purchase a computer had significantly lower school grades but show improved computer skills. There is also some evidence that winning a voucher increased cognitive skills, as measured by Raven's Progressive Matrices. We do not find much evidence for an effect on non-cognitive outcomes. Parental rules regarding homework and computer use attenuate the effects of computer ownership, suggesting that parental monitoring and supervision may be important mediating factors.