Document Type

Lecture

Publication Date

2-13-2014

Publisher

Brookings Mountain West

Abstract

This lecture summarizes new research on the relationship between access to cell phones, TV, and the internet and subjective well-being worldwide. Technology access is positive for well-being in general, but with diminishing marginal returns for those who already have much access. It is also associated with increased stress and anger among cohorts for whom access to the technologies is new. The increased financial inclusion in very poor countries that comes with cell phones and mobile banking also has effects on well-being. Well-being levels are higher in the countries with higher levels of access to mobile banking, but so are stress and anger. This is in keeping with the author’s earlier research, which shows that while development raises aggregate levels of well-being in the long run, high levels of frustration often accompany the process, and can help explain unexpected social unrest at times that countries are experiencing significant economic progress.

Keywords

Banks and banking; Mobile; Cell phones; Economic development; Economics; Internet; Mobile communication systems; Mobile computing; Poor; Technology; Television

Disciplines

Communication | Communication Technology and New Media | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Science and Technology Policy | Science and Technology Studies

File Format

pdf

File Size

855 KB

Streaming Media

Language

English

Comments

Additional file: PDF of PowerPoint slides

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