By Dr. Md. Aurangzeb
The rapid rise of internet and cellphone use among young people has transformed social life not only globally but also in Bangladesh, where digital adoption has accelerated at a pace few could have anticipated. By the beginning of 2025, Bangladesh had an estimated 77.7 million internet users and 185 million mobile connections, according to DataReportal’s national digital trends reports, demonstrating how deeply digital access now permeates daily life for young people. This unprecedented level of connectivity has certainly unlocked opportunities for learning, communication, and innovation, but mounting evidence shows that it is also reshaping behavior in troubling ways—fueling psychological distress, physical health challenges, and an alarming rise in cyber‑related crime.
International research provides an early warning that excessive or early exposure to smartphones may carry profound long‑term consequences for youth mental health. One global study published in 2025, involving over 100,000 young participants, found that receiving a smartphone before age 13 significantly increased the risk of suicidal thoughts, emotional dysregulation, aggression, and detachment from reality in early adulthood. This aligns with findings from the National Public Health Information Coalition, which reported that early smartphone ownership is closely tied to heightened vulnerability to cyberbullying, disrupted sleep, and family conflict, all of which can worsen adolescent depression and anxiety. Another large‑scale dataset from early 2025 showed that more than 620 million people worldwide experienced smartphone‑related sleep disturbances, while teens who spent more than five hours daily on screens were 71% more likely to exhibit suicide risk factors compared to lighter users.
Bangladeshi youth are not immune to these global trends; in fact, local data suggests they may be disproportionately affected. Reporting by The Asian Age highlights that cyberbullying accounts for 52.21% of all reported cybercrimes in Bangladesh, with 78.78% of victims between ages 18 and 30, indicating how deeply digital harm is concentrated among young people. Even more concerning is that 40% of cyberbullying victims experience serious mental health consequences, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Meanwhile, survey data cited by The Dhaka Tribune revealed that a staggering 85% of Bangladeshi children have experienced cyberbullying at least once, demonstrating that harmful online interactions are pervasive rather than isolated incidents. UNICEF assessments further estimate that 32% of Bangladeshi children aged 10–17 have faced internet‑based abuse, emphasizing the magnitude of digital threats shaping emotional development.
Research institutions within Bangladesh echo these concerns. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has documented widespread digital dependency, noting rising cases of insomnia, irritability, social withdrawal, and academic decline linked directly to excessive digital engagement. The institute’s ongoing studies on internet addiction highlight the urgent need for psychosocial interventions tailored to Bangladesh’s youth population. Public health professionals increasingly recognize that the mental health burden emerging from digital overuse demands the same level of national attention as any other non‑communicable disease.
Physical health impacts are equally alarming. Excessive screen exposure has been linked to reduced levels of physical activity, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal strain, poor posture, and rising rates of adolescent obesity. These patterns match what global studies have confirmed: teenagers with addictive screen behaviors face double the risk of suicidal behaviors, as well as intensified emotional and social problems. In 2025, the average person worldwide spent 4 hours and 45 minutes per day on their phone—a figure steadily rising in countries with rapidly expanding digital access. For Bangladesh, where youth increasingly mirror global usage patterns, these trends foreshadow a future where non‑communicable diseases tied to sedentary and digital lifestyles may sharply increase the burden on the national health system. The World Health Organization has already estimated that mental health conditions cost Bangladesh 0.76% of its GDP, suggesting a heavy economic toll that is likely to grow as digital‑related health issues intensify.
Equally troubling is the sharp rise in cybercrime, a public safety concern increasingly intertwined with public health due to its psychological and social impacts. According to research published in the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, unregulated digital spaces in Bangladesh have enabled a surge in online fraud, identity theft, misinformation campaigns, sexual exploitation, and various forms of digital harassment. Young people, while digitally active, often lack the literacy and critical awareness required to navigate online risks, making them both highly targeted victims and at times inadvertent participants in harmful digital behavior.
Legal provisions do exist—such as the ICT Act (2006), the Digital Security Act (2018), and the National Cybersecurity Strategy—but analyses by Lawyers Club Bangladesh point out that citizens remain largely unaware of how to recognize, report, or seek redress for cybercrimes. Enforcement gaps, unclear guidelines, and inconsistent application of digital laws leave young people exposed to predatory behavior and traumatizing online experiences. Moreover, cybersecurity professionals cited in national media, including The Daily Star, have repeatedly emphasized that weak cybersecurity infrastructure, frequent data breaches, and the absence of sufficient endpoint protections have left national systems and personal data dangerously vulnerable.
Political events of recent years further reveal how digital platforms have amplified social tensions. Freedom House’s “Freedom on the Net 2025” report documents how social media played a significant role in mobilizing student protests, followed by government actions including internet shutdowns and arrests tied to online activity. These incidents demonstrate how digital tools, while empowering, can escalate unrest, spread misinformation, and deepen mistrust—conditions that contribute to chronic stress and societal instability, ultimately affecting public mental health.
Yet amid these challenges, Bangladesh has also witnessed promising responses. One standout example is the UNDP‑supported Mental Health First Aid initiative, where university students were trained to provide peer‑based counselling and digital‑safety support. In 2025 alone, these trained responders assisted 463 students, referred 152 for professional counselling, and connected 40 serious cases directly to police cybercrime units. This model demonstrates the transformative potential of youth‑led, community‑based mental health action. Empowering young people with digital safety tools, counselling skills, and empathetic communication can create protective networks that reduce harm and promote resilience.
However, isolated successes are not enough. Bangladesh now stands at a critical juncture: digital dependency, rising mental health challenges, and increasing cybercrime are converging into a national public health crisis. Without bold, coordinated action across sectors, the consequences may shape the wellbeing of an entire generation.
A comprehensive public‑health–centered response must begin with national strategies that address digital exposure among youth. Schools should integrate digital literacy, emotional resilience, and healthy technology habits into core curricula. Parents and caregivers need practical training on monitoring screen time, recognizing signs of digital addiction, and fostering open, supportive communication. Healthcare providers must be enabled to screen for digital‑related symptoms during routine checkups, recognizing that anxiety, sleep disturbance, and behavioral changes may be tied to screen overuse.
Policy reforms must also prioritize youth safety. Bangladesh urgently needs rights‑based digital governance that protects young people from harmful content, mandates transparency from technology companies, and encourages responsible algorithm design. Cybersecurity infrastructure, both governmental and private—must be strengthened to ensure better protection of personal data and rapid response to cyber threats.
Technology companies, too, must take responsibility for safer platform design. Bangladesh’s youth deserve digital tools that enhance rather than undermine wellbeing. Reducing addictive design features, enabling privacy protection, and offering localized safety resources are essential steps.
Bangladesh’s digital future holds immense promise, but young lives cannot be collateral damage in the pursuit of modernization. The wellbeing of the country’s youth hangs in balance. Digital progress must not come at the expense of physical, psychological, or social health. A healthier and safer digital environment is not optional—it is public health imperative and a national duty. The next generation deserves nothing less.
Author: Dr. Md. Aurangzeb, a seasoned public health professional with over two decades of experience, is an educator, author, and media commentator. Having collaborated with UN agencies, he specializes in environmental health, WASH, solid waste management, policy reform, and humanitarian action, championing effective global health solutions. Contact: dr.aaru@gmail.com.
