Iran's Digital Ecosystem: What a State-Commissioned Survey Reveals

Survey findings from internet users presented at the "Iranians' Digital Ecosystem" session
Tuesday, 30 Tir 1405 [July 21, 2026]

According to ISPA's public relations office, a selection of findings from a recent survey of internet users concerning social networks and communication technologies was presented at the specialized session "Iranians' Digital Ecosystem: Findings of a Survey."

The Iranian Students Polling Agency (ISPA) conducted a national survey between 25 and 31 Khordad [June 15–21, 2026], commissioned by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, titled "Measuring internet users' attitudes toward social networks and communication technologies," among 4,060 internet users using face-to-face interviews. These users were selected from among 4,545 people aged over 15 living in the country's urban and rural areas. In other words, according to the survey results, it can be said that 89.3 percent of the public (4,060 people) use the internet and 10.7 percent do not. The findings below concern internet users:

In terms of time spent on the internet, 22.6 percent use it one hour or less per day, 19 percent between 1 and 3 hours, 24.7 percent between 3 and 5 hours, and 32.4 percent five hours or more. On average, users' daily internet use equals 4 hours and 3 minutes.

Regarding time spent by internet users on domestic and foreign social networks: 25.2 percent use foreign social networks one hour or less per day, 16.2 percent between 1 and 3 hours, 14.8 percent between 3 and 5 hours, and 13.9 percent five hours or more. It should be noted that 28.4 percent of internet users do not use foreign social networks at all. Users' average daily time on foreign social networks is 2 hours and 5 minutes. The examination of time spent on domestic social networks shows that 43.2 percent of users spend one hour or less per day on domestic social networks. 18 percent of internet users do not use domestic social networks at all. Users' average daily use of foreign social networks [sic — from context this should read "domestic"] is 1 hour and 37 minutes.

In the chart below, the share of users of each foreign and domestic social network — both as a share of internet users and as a share of people aged over 15 — can be seen:

Overall, the examination of users' use of domestic and foreign social networks indicates that 55.9 percent use both domestic and foreign social networks. 15.6 percent of internet users use only foreign social networks, and 24 percent use only domestic social networks.

Regarding the cutoff of the international internet during the war, 47.1 percent of users said the internet cutoff did not anger them at all or angered them only a little; it angered 46.1 percent of users a lot or very much. On the other hand, 63.7 percent of users consider the reopening of the international internet after the recent war a very correct decision. 38.8 percent of users named staying in touch with friends and family, 33.6 percent entertainment and music, watching films and clips, comedy, etc., and 29.6 percent work and earning income as aspects of their lives that would have run into trouble had the international internet not been reconnected. Likewise, 39.2 percent of users stated that in the event of an internet cutoff they usually follow the news via the state broadcaster [IRIB]; 21.3 percent via domestic social networks such as Bale and Eitaa; and 14.5 percent via satellite channels.

Another part of the survey examined users' views on circumvention tools [filtershekan, i.e. VPNs] and the extent of their use. The results showed that for 40.3 percent of users, the unblocking of social networks does not matter at all or matters little; for 51.8 percent of users, unblocking social networks matters a lot or very much. As for prioritizing which social networks should be unblocked, 47.8 percent of users named Instagram, 20.9 percent Telegram, and 8.4 percent YouTube, in that order, as their priorities for lifting filtering. 74.4 percent of internet users use circumvention tools. 66.7 percent use free circumvention tools. [The source repeats this last sentence twice.]

Users' views were also examined on policymaking in the field of the internet and social networks. 72.3 percent of internet users are not at all satisfied, or only slightly satisfied, with internet speed in Iran. Accordingly, 56.9 percent of internet users stated that if they were to set policy for the internet and social networks, their first priority would be increasing internet speed. 61.1 percent of internet users oppose free, unfiltered internet access for certain officials and authorities, while 24.6 percent agree with it.

The digital economy was another subject examined in this survey. According to the findings, 43.5 percent of internet users said their income and livelihood do not depend at all on the internet and social networks. By contrast, the livelihood of 20.3 percent of internet users depends on the internet and social networks a lot or very much. This figure was moderate for 9.3 percent and low for 25.8 percent. 58 percent of internet users believe online businesses create new job opportunities in the country's economy. In addition, 45 percent see the effect of online businesses on the country's economy as increasing public welfare, and 30.2 percent as increasing government revenue. 19.2 percent also pointed to reducing government costs, and 17.1 percent to reducing job opportunities. An examination of users' online activities over the past year showed that 57.1 percent of internet users made online purchases in the past year and 55.5 percent used online transportation (Snapp and Tapsi). Virtual education (37.9 percent), booking tickets, hotels and ecolodges (17.9 percent), and cleaning and repair services (8.9 percent) came next. Overall, 27.6 percent of internet users believed that apps such as Snapp, Tapsi, Digikala and Filimo meet their daily needs a lot or very much.

Regarding internet users' familiarity with and use of artificial intelligence: 37.6 percent are not familiar with AI tools at all; 25.4 percent have only heard the name; 29 percent can use it to some extent; and 7.9 percent use AI tools in a specialized, professional way. Among all users who get help from AI on the internet, 90.3 percent use ChatGPT. Among all users who get help from AI on the internet, 51.1 percent use AI to obtain general information, 44.1 percent for education and skill-learning, 38.7 percent for editing photos and video, and 30.5 percent for language and translation.