The association between owning a videogame console and the gender gap in STEM: an instrumental variable approach

This study was to estimate the effect of owning a video game console on academic performance in STEM areas. We used an Instrumental Variable (IV) estimation strategy to establish the impact that these variables have on the academic performance of boys and girls. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of the interaction between owning a video game console and gender on academic performance. A database of 1.149.964 students was analyzed using models that combined an IV estimation strategy with the use of several core covariates (e.g., SES, Internet use). More specifically, academic performance was measured using the national college entrance exam in Colombia (Saber 11). Video game console ownership and other covariates were obtained from the living standards indicators in the same database. Results show that having a video game console helps to reduce the gender gap in STEM areas, besides improving academic results of all students. In areas in which girls already have better performance than boys, owning a video game console also improves girls’ academic results.