Working Papers
Access to Online Information is Not Sex Education
with Catherine Michaud-Leclerc and Ardyn Nordstrom, R&R at Journal of Health Economics
Health misinformation can cause individuals to misjudge risks and lead to dangerous disease outbreaks. Expanding internet access has been shown to increase health knowledge along many dimensions. Yet, we show that in the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, access to online information, even restricted to a high-quality source, does not effectively counteract pervasive health misinformation. We study a randomized trial providing Wikipedia access in Malawian secondary schools. Despite intensive use, and nudges to search for correct information, nearly all students retain critical misconceptions related to pregnancy and HIV risk. Misconceptions persist and prevail for years after students gain access to the full internet. We also find limited impacts on long-run sexual behavior and attitudes. High confidence in incorrect beliefs, and distraction by other online content, appear to explain the results. Access to online information does not substitute for effective sex education, and direct information provision is likely necessary.
The Impact of Online Reading Material in Secondary School on University Progression
with Catherine Michaud-Leclerc
Despite its importance for development, enrollment in higher education is low in low-income countries, in part due to poor learning outcomes in school. We study the long-run effects of a randomized intervention that promotes reading among Malawian students through access to online information (Wikipedia). One year of access raises later national exam scores by 0.14 standard deviations, increases the probability of qualifying for university by 7.2 percentage points, and doubles university enrollment, with effects concentrated among low achievers and girls. The effect grows over time after the intervention ends, consistent with dynamic complementarities from English proficiency.
Work in Progress
Restricted Internet Use and Susceptibility to Misinformation with Femke Maes, Catherine Michaud-Leclerc and Ardyn Nordstrom
Comparing poverty alleviation interventions for vulnerable children in Malawi with Catherine Michaud-Leclerc
Teachers Teaching Teachers: A Randomized Evaluation of Teacher Training on Inclusive Learning and Literacy in Malawian Primary Schools