Mobile devices are increasingly central to our daily lives. In its second-year study, Telenor Asia’s ‘Digital Lives Decoded’ uncovered the primary drivers behind mobile usage: fostering healthy social connections, creating new opportunities, ensuring online safety, acquiring new skills, and reducing our environmental footprint.
The inaugural Digital Lives Decoded study in 2022 coincided with Pakistan’s emergence from a global pandemic, spurring a rapid uptake of digital technologies. Expanding upon its predecessor, the 2023 edition offers a thorough analysis of mobile usage and its impacts on various aspects of daily life.
Based on insights from over 8,000 mobile users across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the report delivers invaluable insights into digital living dynamics in the region.
This year’s findings build upon previous trends, indicating a continued surge in mobile phone usage, propelling individuals to seek avenues for upskilling, career enhancement, and accessing new revenue streams facilitated by mobile connectivity. Notably, amidst economic challenges and high inflation, mobile devices are extensively employed to manage rising living costs.
Individuals are turning to their mobile devices to compare prices (70%) or find the best deals (65%), leveraging various financial management tools and apps to navigate financial hardships. Moreover, 95% of respondents in Pakistan have witnessed improvements in their careers and skills development over the past five years due to mobile phone usage.
In Pakistan, there are significant projections for increased mobile device usage over the next 1-2 years (37% vs. 28% regionally). Respondents in Pakistan are more likely than their regional counterparts to utilize their mobile devices daily for accessing educational content (68% vs. 27% regionally), healthcare (27% vs. 14% regionally), and food and grocery delivery apps (30% vs. 16% regionally).
Khurram Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, comments: “The latest Telenor Asia Digital Lives Decoded study reveals a transformative shift. Mobile technology is reshaping work dynamics, fostering skill acquisition, and laying the groundwork for substantial economic growth. With robust connectivity, embracing emerging technologies, and enhancing digital literacy, we can propel Pakistan towards a safer, more inclusive digital future.”
Despite feeling that mobile devices have significantly boosted their performance and work quality, Pakistanis harbor concerns about overuse, privacy, security, and digital skills. Moreover, a notable 27% of mobile users in Pakistan believe they are overusing their devices, the highest among the surveyed markets.
Furthermore, while Pakistanis exhibit a greater inclination to consume news stories on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), they also report the highest daily encounters with fake news (39% compared to 21% regionally). Despite confidence in their digital skills, 51% express apprehensions about keeping pace with future technological changes, emphasizing the need for continuous digital upskilling. Privacy and security concerns, though less inhibiting for work-related mobile use, remain significant, with 32% expressing worry.
These findings underscore the intricate relationship Pakistanis maintain with their mobile devices, balancing the benefits of heightened productivity with the challenges of maintaining digital well-being and security.
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