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The effect of social network sites usage on absenteeism and labor outcomes: longitudinal evidence

Jie Chen (School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China)

International Journal of Manpower

ISSN: 0143-7720

Article publication date: 1 February 2022

Issue publication date: 9 November 2023

374

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is multifold. First, it is to investigate the relationship between social network sites (SNSs) usage and youth's school absenteeism. Second, it is to identify causal relationship between SNSs usage and absenteeism. Third, it is to explore whether SNSs usage causally affects youth's study–work choice after leaving high school. In addition to SNSs usage in general, abnormal SNSs usage is further discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) data are utilised. Lagged variable analysis is used to alleviate reverse causality. Instrumental variable approach and the Lewbel method are used to identify causality. Random effects panel data approach (without and with IVs) is additionally applied to increase efficiency and account for individual-specific effects. Random effects approach allowing for within and between effects is applied, enabling us to control for fixed effects. The primary instrument is a dummy indicating whether a youth more often communicates with close friend electronically or face-to-face.

Findings

Using SNSs leads to significantly higher probability of a teenager being late for school, skipping class and having trouble not following school rules. The effect is more consistent regarding abnormal SNSs usage, compared to SNSs usage in general. Additionally, SNSs usage decreases the probability of a youth studying after 18 years old, even after controlling for absenteeism.

Practical implications

The findings in this paper highlight the importance of preventing youth (e.g. via enabling children-safe mode or setting up maximum daily access time) from overusing SNSs.

Social implications

With the transition to hybrid (mixing remote and face-to-face) learning during and after COVID-19, online interactions are becoming inevitable in students' learning. The findings in this paper indicate that usage, especially abnormal usage, of SNSs increases the probability of absenteeism call for attention from stakeholders including teachers, parents and youth themselves.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first causal and longitudinal evidence linking SNSs usage to absenteeism and youth labor outcomes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study uses data from Growing up in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). The LSAC is conducted in partnership between the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), with advice provided by a consortium of leading researchers from research institutions and universities throughout Australia. This paper is part of the Global Labor Organization (GLO) Virtual Young Scholars Program.

Funding: Project name – Research on the Structural Reformal Motivation and Growth Potential of Jiangsu Cultural Industry under the New Normal. Funding agency – Key Projects of Philosophy and Social Sciences in Jiangsu Universities (2017ZDIXM037).

Citation

Chen, J. (2023), "The effect of social network sites usage on absenteeism and labor outcomes: longitudinal evidence", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 44 No. 6, pp. 1168-1195. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-06-2021-0338

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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