Mapping Electronic Gadget Usage in Urban Himachal Pradesh: A Demographic Perspective

This study aims to explore the usage patterns of electronic gadgets among the urban population of Himachal Pradesh with a focus on four big cities, i.e., Shimla, Dharamshala, Solan, and Mandi. Data were collected using a purposive sampling technique from 472 respondents and analysed with the help of Dichotomy analysis to identify the usage pattern of the digital gadgets and to assess the variation in the usage pattern across the six demographic variables, i.e., Age, City, Gender, Education, Income, and Occupation. Findings reveal that people typically use more than three devices at once, with smartphones being the most popular, followed by laptops, smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers, and earphones. It was discovered that fewer people used fitness trackers. It's interesting to note that usage habits did not significantly differ among demographic groups, suggesting widespread embrace of digital technology. The report emphasizes the necessity of mobile-first policy approaches, inclusive digital literacy initiatives, and enhanced digital infrastructure.