Late-night scrolling through Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram has become a daily habit for many teenagers in Bangladesh. As a result, the country's children and adolescents—once seen as a source of immense promise—are facing growing risks. Parents who dream of a bright future for their children are increasingly worried as concerns over digital addiction continue to mount.

Research shows that excessive social media use is disrupting sleep, reducing academic concentration, and increasing stress and anxiety among young people. While countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Spain and Norway are introducing restrictions on social media use for those under 16, Bangladesh has yet to implement any significant measures to address the problem.

According to 2025 data, Bangladesh has nearly 60 million social media users, representing about 34 percent of the population. Facebook remains the most popular platform, followed by YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, with young people accounting for the largest share of users.

Attention and Family Relationships Under Threat

Professor Dr. Salahuddin Kawsar Biplob, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Bangladesh Medical University, warns that the misuse of social media and excessive screen time among children and adolescents pose serious mental and physical health risks.

“Like any addiction, internet dependency increases dopamine release in the brain, damaging attention span and normal memory functions,” he said. “Excessive screen dependence is eroding children's imagination. Many addicted youngsters are withdrawing from reality and living in a fantasy world.”

Social Media Addiction: A Growing Threat to the Future

Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), expressed concern that digital addiction is hindering the healthy development of students much like substance abuse.

“Although these open platforms have positive aspects, their harmful and destructive effects are increasingly damaging young people's critical thinking, creativity and intellectual development,” she said. “The lack of an effective regulatory framework has turned social media into an uncontrolled space that threatens family bonds and social values.”

Screen Time Linked to Health Problems:

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh reports that children in Dhaka spend an average of nearly five hours a day on digital screens, including mobile phones, televisions, tablets, computers and gaming devices.

Recent research found that more than one-third of children suffer from eye-related problems, while nearly 80 percent frequently experience headaches. Excessive screen use has also been linked to sleep deprivation, obesity, vision problems and mental health complications.

Sleep Quality and Mental Health Deteriorating:

A study published in the journal Nature and Science of Sleep analyzed data from 1,139 Bangladeshi higher secondary graduates and found a strong connection between social media addiction and poor sleep quality. The study showed that as addiction levels increase, sleep quality declines significantly, with frequent nighttime awakenings and reduced daytime productivity being common symptoms.

The World Is Tightening Regulations:

Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ban Facebook, TikTok and Instagram for children under 16, supported by advanced age-verification systems.

Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for under-16s. The law covers platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube, with technology companies facing heavy fines for non-compliance.

France is considering a ban on social media use for children under 15 and restrictions on mobile phone use in high schools. Similar measures have been adopted or proposed in Indonesia, Malaysia, Austria, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Poland and Slovenia.

China has introduced a “minor mode” that limits screen time according to age, while the European Union has strengthened child online safety requirements under the Digital Services Act.

Bangladesh Lacks Specific Laws and Oversight:

Bangladesh currently has no age-based restrictions on social media use. The country's child protection laws do not contain specific provisions regarding online safety, while existing cyber laws primarily focus on cybercrime rather than child digital protection.

A UNICEF survey found that two-thirds of Bangladeshi young people support stronger policies to combat harmful online behavior. Among nearly 29,000 respondents, 45 percent reported experiencing cyberbullying. Despite this, experts say policy action remains limited.

Experts Call for Immediate Action:

Technology expert Suman Ahmed Sabir supports restricting social media access for children under 16 but stresses that awareness is equally important.

“Children and parents must understand the harmful effects of social media. At the same time, we need more opportunities for sports and healthy recreation,” he said.

Dr. Md. Touhidul Haque, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research of University of Dhaka, warned that easy access to smartphones and high-speed internet is negatively affecting children's behavior.

“They are losing normal communication skills, becoming more aggressive, and challenging family and social values,” he said.

What Needs to Be Done?

Experts recommend a coordinated approach involving government agencies, parents, educational institutions and technology companies. Key recommendations include:

• Introducing age-based social media restrictions for users under 16. 

• Making age verification mandatory for social media platforms. 

• Incorporating internet safety education into school curricula. 

• Launching nationwide awareness campaigns for parents. 

• Strengthening child protection provisions within cyber safety legislation. 

• Imposing strict penalties on platforms that fail to protect young users. 

As digital addiction continues to affect children's education, health and social development, experts warn that delaying action could have long-term consequences for Bangladesh's future generation.