Does mobile access to the internet increase household financial literacy?

Abstract

Using the 2013 and 2015 waves of the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS), this study explores mobile internet use and examines its impacts on households' financial literacy. Our findings provide robust evidence that mobile internet use increases households' financial literacy. Moreover, the mechanism test shows that mobile internet use improves financial literacy mainly through: enhancing information flow about finance and engaging in economic activities. Interestingly, we explore the effects of mobile internet use on financial literacy among different people, and we find that the positive impact of mobile internet use on financial literacy is more pronounced in households who are older, lower educated and those who live in rural and western areas. Overall, our findings imply that mobile internet plays a positive role in facilitating financial inclusion by improving financial literacy.