Authored By: Israt Sultana Erin
Introduction
The internet is now a part of children’s everyday life in Bangladesh. Children use mobile phones, tablets, and computers for school, entertainment, and talking to friends. Social media apps, online games, and learning platforms are easy to reach, even in small towns and villages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children spent more time online because schools were closed and online classes became the main way to study.
The internet has many benefits. Children can learn new skills, watch educational videos, chat with family and friends, and do creative activities like drawing, coding, or music. But the internet also has dangers. Children can face cyberbullying, online harassment, sexual abuse, privacy problems, scams, and harmful content like violent videos or pornography. These risks can affect children’s mental health, school performance, and social behavior.
Bangladesh has laws such as the Children Act 2013[1] and the Digital Security Act 2018,[2] but they are not designed for online safety. This article will discuss internet use, online risks legalgaps, psychological effects, the role of parents, case examples, lessons from other countries, and suggestions for safer online use.
- Growth of Internet Use and Risks in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s internet use is growing fast. About 40% of people have internet access, many of whom are children and teenagers. Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube are very popular.
But more internet use brings more risks:
- Online predators contact children through friend requests or messages.
- Harmful content like violent videos, pornography, or self-harm material is easy to find.
- Cyberbullying spreads through posts, edited pictures, and fake accounts.
- Online games sometimes connect children with strangers who cheat or manipulate them.
- Scams and phishing tricks children into giving personal information or stealing money from their parents’ accounts.
Many parents think online games or social media are harmless. Without guidance, children stay at risk.
- Legal Framework in Bangladesh
Children Act 2013
The Children Act 2013¹ protects children from abuse, neglect, child labor, and trafficking. It has rules for juvenile justice and welfare. But it does not clearly cover cyberbullying, online grooming, or sexual abuse online.
Digital Security Act 2018
The Digital Security Act 2018² deals with hacking, false information, cyber harassment, and data theft. It can punish online offenders, but it does not focus on children.
Draft Cybersecurity Law 2023
The government drafted the Cybersecurity Law 2023³ to improve online safety. But child protection is not the main focus.
Other Laws
Sections of the Penal Code, Pornography Control Act 2012, and ICT Act[3] can be used to protect children online. But these laws are scattered and unclear.
- Weaknesses and Gaps in the Law
- Undefined Terms: Words like “online grooming” or “cyberbullying” are not clearly defined.
- Weak Enforcement: Police and investigators often do not have the training or tools to protect children online.
- Low Awareness: Parents and teachers often do not know how to protect children or report crimes.
- Slowly Response: its Harmful content and is not removed quickly.
- Types of Online Threats
Online Harassment and Threats
Cyberbullying happens when someone insults, threatens, or humiliates a child online. Children who face this often feel stressed, anxious, or sad. Sometimes, it can lower their confidence and affect their school or social life.
Danger of Online Sexual Exploitation
Online sexual exploitation occurs when an adult tricks a child into sharing private photos or meeting in person. Once these images are online, they can spread easily and are hard to remove. In Bangladesh, there is still limited support and protection for victims of such incidents.
Harmful Content
Children may see violent videos, pornography, or extremist content, which can affect their thinking and behavior.
Privacy and Data Misuse
Apps collect personal information. If stolen, this can be used for scams or exploitation.
Phishing and Scams
Children may click fake links or give private information. Fake websites or games are sometimes used to steal money.
- Psychological and Emotional Impacts
Cyberbullying victims may feel anxious, sad, or have suicidal thoughts[4]. Exposure to sexual or violent content can make unsafe behavior seem normal. Internet addiction reduces focus, harms sleep, increases irritability, and can make children socially withdrawn.
- Role of Parents in Protecting Children Online
Parents are very important in keeping children safe online. The internet has many opportunities to learn and play, but it also has risks like cyberbullying, scams, and strangers trying to harm children. Parents who guide and support their children can help them use the internet safely.
Ways Parents Can Help:
- Monitor Internet Use: Parents should know which websites, apps, and games their children use. Staying aware helps prevent problems before they start.
- Talk About Online Dangers: Children should feel comfortable sharing their online experiences. Parents can explain that not everyone online is safe and teach them not to share personal information or photos with strangers.
- Set Screen Time Limits: Too much time online can affect sleep, studies, and health. Parents should encourage a balance between online and offline activities.
- Teach How to Report Problems: Children should know how to block or report someone who harasses them online. Parents can guide them to save evidence and seek help when needed.
- Encourage Offline Hobbies: Outdoor play, reading, and sports help children reduce over-dependence on the internet and improve social skills.
Case Example: A 12-year-old girl in Dhaka shared her photo online with a stranger and soon received threatening messages. Her parents only noticed when she became very anxious. If her parents had monitored her activity and discussed online safety, this could have been avoided.
- Internet Addiction and Too Much Screen Time
Today, many children spend a lot of time on the internet. They use it for games, social media, or online learning. While the internet can be helpful, too much time online can be harmful. It can affect their studies, friends, and health. Spending long hours on screens can cause eye pain, headaches, poor posture, tiredness, and trouble sleeping.
Children who use the internet too much may also stop spending time with family and friends. They may feel lonely, irritable, or less interested in hobbies. This can affect their emotions, communication, and confidence.
Case Example: In Chittagong, a boy played online games for 5–6 hours every day. His school marks fell, and he stopped spending time with his family and friends. He also had trouble sleeping and felt tired all the time. This shows that too much screen time can hurt children’s studies, health, and social life. Parents and teachers need to watch and guide children to use the internet in a healthy way.
- Online Gaming Risks
Many games allow chatting with strangers, spending money, or violent behavior. Without guidance, children may spend money or develop harmful habits[5].
- Government Actions and Limitations
Bangladesh has cybercrime units and awareness campaigns, but these are limited, especially in rural areas. Low budgets and untrained staff make children vulnerable.
- Online Risks for Urban and Rural Children
Children in urban areas often have easy access to smartphones, tablets, and the internet. They spend a lot of time on social media and online games, which can sometimes lead to problems like cyberbullying, seeing inappropriate content, or sharing too much personal information.
Children in rural areas usually go online using cheap mobile data or by visiting cyber cafes. These places often have less supervision, which means children can accidentally meet strangers online, see harmful content, or get tricked by online scams.
Even though urban and rural children use the internet differently, both face real risks. Parents and elders need to guide them, set limits, and help them stay safe while enjoying the online world.
- How Tech Companies Can Protect Children Online
Online platforms, like social media sites and online games, play an important role in keeping children safe. They need to act quickly to remove anything that could harm kids, such as inappropriate posts, videos, or messages. It is also important for these companies to check the age of users so that young children do not access content meant for older audiences. Furthermore, adults who try to trick or harm children online should be blocked immediately to prevent danger.
In Bangladesh, even though there are some rules to protect children online, enforcement is often weak. Many companies do not fully follow these rules, which leaves children vulnerable. Technology companies must take stronger steps and act responsibly to make the online world safer for kids.
- Lessons from Other Countries
Bangladesh has signed the UNCRC[6], which requires online child protection. Other countries have stronger measures:
UK: Online Safety Bill requires companies to remove harmful content and verify user ages.
Australia: eSafety Commissioner can remove harmful content within 24 hours.
India: POCSO Act and IT Act prohibit online sexual abuse and storing sexual content of minors.
- Recommendations
Update laws with clear definitions of online child abuse, grooming, and cyberbullying.
Create special cybercrime units for child-related cases.
Conduct awareness campaigns for children, parents, and teachers.
Train parents and teachers on digital safety.
Use technology to detect and remove harmful content quickly.
Hold tech companies accountable for child safety.
Launch a national helpline for reporting online abuse.
Introduce age verification for social media accounts.
Promote digital literacy for parents and guardians.
Include online safety in school curricula.
Launch community programs to educate rural areas.
- Conclusion
The internet is a powerful tool for children to learn, connect, and be creative. But without proper protection, it can also be harmful. In Bangladesh, current laws are not enough to keep children safe from cyberbullying, exploitation, and harmful content.
To protect children, laws should be updated, law enforcement trained, parents guided, and technology companies held accountable. Awareness programs can also help children use the internet safely.
Every child deserves a safe online space to explore and grow. Immediate action from government, parents, schools, and companies is essential to make the internet a place of learning and creativity, not danger.
Reference(S):
[1] Children Act 2013, Bangladesh – main law for child protection.
[2] Digital Security Act 2018, Bangladesh – law for online crimes.
[3] Draft Cybersecurity Law 2023, Bangladesh – proposed framework for online safety.
[4] UNICEF report on cyberbullying – describes mental health effects and need for prevention.
[5] UNICEF report on cyberbullying – describes mental health effects and need for prevention.
[6] UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 – international treaty for child protection including online safety.
