KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban, as part of continuing restrictions, have banned the use of smartphones in schools and have warned that teachers and education staff who possess smartphones will be dismissed.
In an audio recording obtained by KabulNow one of the education officials says that from Saturday onward, the use of mobile phones for teachers and all education staff is prohibited.
Sources say that the audio belongs to one of the education employees in Balkh province.
According to him, the Taliban have said that individuals who have smartphones will be referred to court, their phones will be broken, and they may also be dismissed from their positions.
Six days ago, reports indicated that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a verbal order banning smartphones for members of the group and government employees. A directive sent to Taliban military courts stated that violators would be treated as “criminals” and referred to military courts for punishment.
The order, reportedly issued during a meeting with senior Taliban security and court officials, also tasked military court leaders in eight zones with enforcing the ban and reporting its implementation to Akhundzada’s office. Some members of the Taliban have reportedly followed this order and broken their own smartphones.
The latest order appears to be part of broader efforts by the Taliban leadership to tighten internal discipline and control the flow of information among its members. Restrictions on smartphone use have previously been linked to concerns over security, information leaks, and the dissemination of unauthorized content through social media and messaging applications.
Restrictions on smartphone use could further isolate Afghanistan from the rest of the world at a time when the country is already facing significant political and economic challenges. Smartphones have become essential tools for communication, access to information, education, and professional development.
Limiting their use among government employees and security personnel may reduce exposure to new ideas, technological developments, and international trends, potentially widening the gap between Afghanistan and other countries that are increasingly integrating digital technologies into governance and public services.
The move may also be seen as part of a broader trend of restricting access to information and modern technology. Policies discouraging the use of digital tools could hinder technological progress and digital literacy, both of which are important for economic growth and development.
In a world where smartphones are central to education, business, banking, and communication, limiting their use could contribute to a more isolated environment and make it harder for Afghanistan to participate in the global digital economy.
