10,740 schools without playgrounds putting children at risk of digital addiction: Speakers
Children make up one-third of the country’s population, yet their safe and healthy development is not being ensured.
Children are becoming addicted to mobile phones and digital devices due to the absence of playgrounds in 10,740 schools across Bangladesh, speakers said at a seminar in Dhaka today (15 May), warning of risks to their mental and creative development.
The seminar, titled "Safe Life for Children: Perspective Bangladesh", was organised by child and adolescent organisation Khelaghar Asar at the National Press Club in Dhaka as part of its month-long programme marking the organisation's 74th founding anniversary.
Khelaghar Asar's Central Presidium member Lenin Chowdhury presented the keynote paper. He said children make up one-third of the country's population, yet their safe and healthy development is not being ensured.
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He added that children remain vulnerable to rape, trafficking, psychological abuse, malnutrition and child labour.
According to the keynote paper, 403 children were raped in the country in 2024, though many incidents remain undisclosed due to fear, family shame and social pressure. Most incidents involving abuse of boy children also go unreported, it added.
The paper said nine out of 10 children face psychological abuse, while 9.2% of children aged between five and seven are engaged in child labour. It also noted that 18% of children under five remain at health risk due to malnutrition.
Dhaka University Professor Samina Luthfa said the current curriculum does not provide adequate scope for developing children's mental health and skills.
"We have created a curriculum where there is no room for the development of children's mental or other skills," she said.
BNP chairperson's adviser Sukomal Barua emphasised on the importance of mental and intellectual growth alongside physical nutrition for proper child development.
National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz described the current curriculum as inconsistent with reality and called for its reassessment.
Khelaghar Asar's Central General Secretary Rezaul Kabir, Professor Md Abu Saeed, artist Tamanna Rahman, Sadia Arman and child representative Adrita Roy also spoke at the seminar.
