KABUL (SW) – Findings by Salam Watandar indicate the use of smartphones among young people in Afghanistan over the years has gone beyond mere communication.
According to exclusive conversations conducted by Salam Watandar with 27 young girls and boys, this technology plays a key role in various fields, such as education, daily tasks, entertainment, increasing the level of information and even online shopping.
However, despite its numerous advantages, excessive use of these tools has raised concerns about mental health.
These young people use their smartphones not only for communication but also for other aspects of life. Nine individuals said they use their phones for daily tasks, 7 others said they use it for education and learning, 6 others said they use it for entertainment, and only 1 said using it for online shopping, and 4 said they solely use it for communication.
25-year-old Rahima expressed about her reliance on smartphones for both educational and recreational purposes. She said: “I often use my smartphone for daily tasks and sometimes for leisure and learning.”
Similarly, 21-year-old Lima highlighted the importance of smartphones in enhancing her knowledge. “I use my smartphone extensively; it has had a significant impact on my life. I can expand my knowledge through it, and it has greatly assisted me in my studies.”
In this report, 21 youngsters stated that using smartphones and accessing social media has increased their access to information.
Mohammad Ershad, one of the youths, said, “I use technology in my daily life, and it has solved many of my problems. Whenever I encounter something I don’t know, I search for it on YouTube and Google.”
The young interviewees in this report also have varying levels of access to email. Out of 27 participants, 24 created their emails independently, while 3 received assistance from others.
Salam Watandar’s findings reveal that smartphone usage among young people varies significantly. Notably, 22 individuals reported using their smartphones for 4-8 hours daily.
Muzhgan, who spends eight hours a day using her smartphone, said, “I use my smartphone daily for my studies; I accomplish many tasks with it.”
Khpulwak Shafiq said: “I use technology for 4-5 hours daily, primarily for gathering information.”
Psychologists warn that excessive smartphone use can negatively affect the mental health of young people.
Haibatullah Ebrahimkhil, a psychologist, explains, “It creates numerous psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, obsession, and even addiction, as we are exposed to various individuals in the virtual space. Additionally, it leads to difficulties in concentration.”
Zia Nikzad, a sociologist, adds that addiction to smartphones and social media has adverse effects on young people’s lives. “Technology now shapes the psyche of society; all forms of communication, especially long-distance communication and interactions with family or friends, are mediated by technology.”
Accessing the full range of smartphone features often requires an internet connection, prompting many young people to allocate part of their budget for internet services.
Jalaluddin Shams, spokesperson for the Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA), says that over 12 million citizens in Afghanistan are currently using the internet. “We have 25 million telecom subscribers, and more than 12 million of them are internet users, many of whom are young.”
While smartphone use for communication, learning, and entertainment presents both positive and negative aspects, the impact ultimately hinges on how individuals choose to engage with this modern technology.
