Social distancing in networks: A web-based interactive experiment

TL;DR

This study investigates the effectiveness of fines and informational messages in promoting social distancing during COVID-19 through a web-based experiment, revealing fines are effective while nudges are less so, and highlighting demographic differences in responses.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence on policy tools for social distancing and introduces an instrumental variable approach to analyze demographic differences in compliance.

Findings

Fines increase social distancing behavior.

Informational nudges have limited impact.

Awareness of being a superspreader boosts distancing.

Abstract

Governments have used social distancing to stem the spread of COVID-19, but lack evidence on the most effective policy to ensure compliance. We examine the effectiveness of fines and informational messages (nudges) in promoting social distancing in a web-based interactive experiment conducted during the first wave of the pandemic on a near-representative sample of the US population. Fines promote distancing, but nudges only have a marginal impact. Individuals do more social distancing when they are aware they are a superspreader. Using an instrumental variable approach, we argue progressives are more likely to practice distancing, and they are marginally more responsive to fines.