Evaluating the Effects of Screen Time, Social Media Use, and Sleep Duration on Attention Span: A Quantitative Study of Employees in Private Firms

This study examines the influence of screen time, social media usage, and sleep duration on the attention capacity of employees in private companies in Afghanistan. In today’s digital work environment, employees spend substantial time in front of screens for both professional and personal activities, which may affect their concentration levels. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 250 employees across several private organizations in Kabul using a structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted in Stata to examine the relationships among the variables. The overall model was found to be significant (F = 292.145, p < 0.001) with a strong explanatory power (R² = 0.780), indicating that the three predictors jointly account for 78% of the variation in attention capacity. Sleep duration demonstrated a positive and significant effect on attention (β = 0.612, p < 0.001), suggesting that employees who sleep longer exhibit better cognitive performance and focus. In contrast, social media usage (β = -0.518, p < 0.001) and screen time (β = -0.394, p < 0.001) showed significant negative associations, implying that excessive digital exposure undermines employees’ concentration abilities. The findings align with prior studies emphasizing the role of adequate rest and balanced digital engagement in sustaining cognitive control and workplace productivity. This research contributes to the limited literature on employee attention within the Afghan context and offers practical insights for organizations to promote healthier digital habits and improved work-life balance.