A legal notice has been served to the government seeking a ban on social media use for children and teenagers up to the age of 16, alongside a demand for effective measures to prevent its misuse.
Barrister Sanaullah Noori sent the notice on Thursday on behalf of the Legal Voice Foundation.
The notice named the Secretary of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) as respondents.
It stipulates that effective control over social media must be established and realistic steps to prevent misuse must be taken within 15 days of receipt of the notice. Otherwise, legal action will be initiated.
According to the notice, the use of various social media platforms – including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube – is trending alarmingly in a negative direction.
The misuse of these platforms is increasing among children and adolescents, often manifesting as violence and addiction. Consequently, they are losing their childhood, becoming indifferent to sports, and facing risks to their physical and mental health.
The notice further highlighted that the spread of propaganda, misinformation, and the easy availability of pornography are negatively impacting the intellectual and mental development of the youth.
This has resulted in a lack of focus on studies and a declining interest in attending schools and colleges.
The legal notice also pointed out an erosion of moral values, noting that children and teenagers are becoming involved in various criminal activities, including gang culture.
It stated that the misuse of digital platforms has led to addictions to pornography and online games, causing youth to deviate from moral education and turn toward crime – situations that are frequently moving beyond parental control.
