Disparate Impacts of New Technologies on Women and Minorities: The Case of Broadband in the U.S.

Abstract

We examine how broadband impacts entrepreneurship, income, and employment in the United States from 2000 to 2019, specifically the differential impacts for women and minorities. Using Current Population Surveys Computer and Internet Use Supplement and matching, we find that home broadband access significantly impacted the decision to be self-employed from the early years of broadband until at least 2012. Broadband access also had an impact on reducing unemployment, being particularly effective for minority males and females during the recovery period of the Great Recession. Broadband access also raised weekly earnings and entrepreneurial income. In more recent years, the benefits of owning broadband access for increasing entrepreneurship, avoiding unemployment, and raising income have diminished, but home broadband access leads to a higher propensity of holding more than one job.