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In the context of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan, this study examines the children’s exposure with technological gadgets and its relationship with gender, age/grade level, and family structure during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Through a survey questionnaire, the data were collected from 150 parents. By using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21.0), the data were analyzed. Both the Descriptive (percentages and frequencies) and Inferential (independent t-test) statistics were applied. The findings of the study revealed that 18% children at informed parents’ program level (i.e., 0-3years), 40% at ECD level (3-8years) and 42% at upper primary level were expose with technological gadgets. However, boys were found to be more exposed with technological gadgets (i.e., 70.7%) as compared to girls (i.e., 28%) during Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown period in GB. Findings showed that 38% children were found to be in nuclear families, 55% children were in joint and only 6% were in extended families. Mostly children use mobile and laptop/ computers (39.3%) whereas only 16.7% children use TV in Gilgit. It was also revealed that 58.7% parents supervise while 41.3% parents do not supervise their children while using technological gadgets. However, there was no significant difference between male and female children across age group. The study recommended to carry out a research study in the future to investigate the family structure and use of technological devices by increasing the sample size and research sites to get more insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to investigate the impact of mobile phones in the lives of youths of mountainous rural areas of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). A total of 272 (133 male and 139 female) respondents of ages between 16 and 25 years participated in this study. To analyze the demographic data such as age, gender, district, the descriptive statistics (mean, SD and percentage) and inferential statistics such as independent sample t-test were used. The regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between independent and dependent variables such as mobile phone features (M = 3.66, SD = 1.15); a mobile phone as a tool for socio-economic impact (M = 3.80, SD = 1.20); as a fashion symbol (M = 1.29, SD = 0.11) and a tool for safety (M = 3.91, SD = 1.06). The findings show that 97% (M = 1.026 SD = 0.159) of youths from GB own a mobile phone (47% male and 48% female). The findings also verify that a mobile phone is beneficial to its users in the fields of economic, education, safety, and security. However, using a mobile phone as status symbol could have a negative impact on the lives of youths. This study recommends that the government should develop effective and efficient policy for mobile phone usage and users should also be aware of the blessings and risks associated with using a mobile phone in their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]