Internet and the start of Social Media in Afghanistan

We live in the age of technology where everyone use tech tools for facility of their lives. Cyber atmosphere and global Internet have found the place in each home and family. Undeniably, it shapes culture, identity and social values.

The Internet itself is an inactive tool that in fact was used to ease researches for military and science organizations. The main action of this technology is to exchange and share information. This network was established in 1969 by the name of ARPANET in United States. Source: (http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/invention-of-the-internet)

In Afghanistan, the usage of Internet doesn't have a long history. It started to be used later then the neighbor countries and the reason were internal wars. Hence, in 2002 after President Karzai took the chair, the Internet came to Kabul.  Taliban also banned Internet for their bad pretends about using the Internet.

Today, as the last statistics show, there are more than 4 million Internet users in Afghanistan. Source: (http://www.internetworldstats.com/asia/af.htm) In 2002 the first private telecom company – Afghan Wireless Communications Company (AWCC) – was authorized to provide mobile (GSM) services. 3G services have been used since 2012 and now networks such as MTN, Roshan, Etisalat, Afghan Wireless and Salam Network provided this system for Afghans. Source:
(https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1871/The%20State%20of%20Telecoms%20and%20Internet%20%20in%20Afghanistan%20(2006-2012)%20Low-Res.pdf)

Along with the Internet in Afghanistan, people poco a poco realized the Social Media and its importance. Lack of digital literacy and high usage costs influenced this progress. Using of social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, Google plus and more others are more sensible between Afghan youths. Youths are using these tools to find friends, communicate with each other, share their photos, videos and ideas and to have fun from cyber atmosphere.

Hopefully the government of Afghanistan recognized the Internet and social media as important sources of development and expansion and believes that communication and information technologies can provide beneficial opportunities for us.

Mohammad Elias Hatimi