KABUL (SW) – Over the past decade, social media has become an integral part of the lives of young people in Afghanistan, serving diverse purposes such as passing the time and escape unemployment or a platform for educational programs and skill development.
In this report, Salam Watandar spoke with 13 young men and women, most of whom spend 4-5 hours daily on social media. Seven of the respondents reported using social media to share ideas, experiences, and information, while six indicated they turn to these platforms just as an escape from unemployment.
Hasiba Tatari, a Bamyan resident who turned to writing after the ban on education for girls beyond sixth grade, views social media as an excellent opportunity to share her writings. Spending 6-7 hours online each day, she said, “I’ve established an online academy where I teach and learn, and I’ve created an online library through which I sell books to other youths. I write poems and novels and share them in groups.”
Social media, with its unique characteristics, offers both the potential for time-wasting and valuable opportunities for individuals. The choice between these outcomes depends on user decisions.
24-year-old Wahida from Takhar, who primarily uses Instagram and Facebook platforms, mentioned that she initially used these platforms for entertainment but now follows more educational content.
“At first, I followed entertainment content, but now I utilize social media to learn sewing, embroidery, and beauty skills,” she explained.
Among the many users of social media, some find themselves drawn to these platforms due to high rate of unemployment and a lack of other entertaining activities.
Ehsan Haidari, who graduated from the Faculty of English Literature at Takhar University two years ago, spends much of his time on social media due to unemployment. “I use social media for about four to five hours daily because I have no other commitments,” he said.
Habib al-Rahman, a Kabul resident who graduated from the Faculty of Literature and Social Sciences at a University in Badakhshan three years ago, also finds himself spending most of his time on social media due to the inability to find work.
“As a young person who studied for 16 years, I spend most of my time on Facebook because when one has no other activities, they are compelled to spend their time aimlessly,” he added.
Experts, however, warn that excessive reliance on social media can lead to a decline in time spent on studying and engaging in other productive activities. This imbalance can gradually negatively impact the mental health of young people.
Rashid Sediqi, a sociologist and university professor, commented, “It affects our mental health and takes our mental state out of control; furthermore, our time is wasted unnecessarily.” He added that excessive use of social media fosters dependency, which can damage users’ social relationships.
Another sociologist, Jamaluddin Sulaimani, noted that the “unscientific and unprofessional” content prevalent on social media in Afghanistan contributes to cultivating less capable and more aggressive youths.
Whether for learning or mere entertainment, social media has become a significant part of life for citizens, especially young people, and as time goes on, it is becoming more pervasive and addictive. Experts believe that to mitigate vulnerabilities in this space, it is essential to promote a culture of beneficial usage.
