%0 Journal Article
%T Dissecting the digital divide: A household fixed effects approach to estimating gender gaps in digital skills of youth in low- and middle-income economies.
%A Avanesian G
%A Zaw HT
%A Kelly P
%A Mizunoya S
%J Heliyon
%V 10
%N 12
%D 2024 Jun 30
%M 38994092
%F 3.776
%R 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33127
%X This study investigates gender gaps in digital skills among youth (15-24 years old) in 32 low- and middle-income economies using data from UNICEF-supported and internationally comparable Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). Utilizing a household fixed effects approach, we aim to isolate gender-based disparities from household-level variations. The intra-household analysis reveals significant inequalities, with biases against young women in possessing digital skills, including the very basic ones. Supplementary analysis using a mixed-effects model, which accounts separately for within- and between-household variation, highlights that wealthier households exhibit larger gender gaps in digital skills, disadvantaging young women primarily due to a floor effect in the poorest households. The paper concludes with policy implications aimed at reducing gender gaps in digital skills.