The Impact of Social Media in Afghanistan: A Multi-Disciplinary Study

Abstract

Background

The rapid growth of social media has profoundly transformed communication, community building, and information sharing worldwide. In Afghanistan, the proliferation of social media platforms has significantly impacted the social, cultural, and political landscape, particularly among the youth.

Objective

This multi-disciplinary study aims to explore the diverse effects of social media on Afghan youth, focusing on usage patterns, mental health implications, entertainment-driven time allocation, financial expenditures, exposure to explicit content, and academic performance.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between September and December 2023, gathering responses from 1556 participants (67% males, 33% females) through various social media platforms. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, employing statistical tests such as ANOVA and Chi-Square to examine relationships between social media usage and its impacts.

Results

The study reveals significant links between social media usage and demographic, behavioral, and mental health factors. Key findings include Facebook as the most used platform (83.6%), with the majority of participants spending 1–3 hours daily on social media. Age differences in time spent were significant (F=15.64, p<0.001). Entertainment was the primary use (45.5%), with gender differences in engagement levels. High anxiety (78.5%) and moderate depression (38.3%) were reported. Significant associations between social media use and mental health were found (eg, χ2=591.87, p<0.001 for nervousness). Excessive use negatively impacted study habits, with 25.7% feeling it hindered their academic performance.

Conclusion

This study highlights the multifaceted impacts of social media on Afghan youth, including both positive aspects like enhanced communication and empowerment and negative aspects such as mental health issues and academic challenges. The significant relationships between social media usage and various life aspects underscore the need for targeted interventions to promote healthy digital habits and mitigate adverse effects. Further research is recommended to explore long-term impacts and effective strategies for managing social media use among Afghan youth.

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© 2024 Ehsan et al. This work is published by Dove Medical Press Limited, and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed.

Keywords:

• social media
• Afghan
• mental health
• time
• money
• relationship
• study
• Facebook

Data Sharing Statement

The data collected for this study is securely stored with the research committee of the Ghalib University. Access to the data is available upon request, subject to approval by the research committee and principal author this study (Dr. Hedayatullah Ehsan). Interested parties may obtain access by submitting a polite request to the designated contact person. We are committed to facilitating access to the data while ensuring compliance with ethical and privacy considerations.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Ghalib University’s Institutional Review and Ethical Board, which adheres to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Participants were informed through the questionnaire that their participation was entirely voluntary, ensuring their right to withdraw at any point without consequence. Comprehensive information about the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits was provided to all participants, enabling them to make an informed decision regarding their involvement. For participants under 18 years of age, informed consent was obtained from a parent or legal guardian. Strict measures were taken to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of participants’ data, aligning with ethical guidelines to protect their rights and well-being throughout the research process.

Consent for Publication

All participants involved in this study have provided their explicit consent for the sharing and publication of their data for academic and research purposes. They understand that their information may be used in scientific publications and presentations while ensuring their anonymity and confidentiality.

Disclosure

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors, whose affiliations are Ghalib University, received financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The rest of the authors received no financial support for this study.