%0 Report
        %A Guerrico, Sofía Fernández
%A Tojerow, Ilan
        %T The Effect of Broadband Internet on Mental Health-Related Disability Insurance Claims
        %D 2025
        %8 2025 Sep
        %I Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        %C Bonn
        %7 IZA Discussion Paper
        %N 18130
        %U https://www.iza.org/publications/dp18130
        %X We examine the causal impact of high-speed internet on adult mental health using administrative data from Belgium. We exploit predetermined telecommunications infrastructure and broadband technology's distance-sensitive nature for identification. Our difference-in-differences estimates show internet increased mental health-related disability insurance claims by 0.054 percentage points—a 31% increase relative to the control group. These findings are supported by increased antidepressant use at the municipality level. Results point to a work-related mechanism: effects are concentrated among knowledge workers and those in high work-from-home potential jobs. Time-use data show a substitution from leisure to work and less social interaction on weekends.
        %K disability insurance
%K internet
%K mental health
%K employment