SC lawyer serves legal notice to govt for banning social media access for under-16s
It claimed that exposure to propaganda, misinformation, and pornography online is harming the intellectual and moral development of youths, making them less attentive to studies and less interested in attending school and college.
A Supreme Court lawyer has issued a legal notice to the government demanding a ban on social media use by children and adolescents under the age of 16.
Barrister Sanaullah Noori sent the notice today (7 May) on behalf of the Legal Voice Foundation.
It was addressed to the secretary of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to the notice, authorities have been given 15 days to take realistic and effective steps to establish control over social media platforms and prevent their misuse. The notice expressed concern over what it described as the "alarming negative" impact of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, on children and teenagers.
It is alleged that excessive and improper use of these platforms is contributing to addiction, violent behaviour, and declining interest in sports and outdoor activities, ultimately affecting both physical and mental health.
It claimed that exposure to propaganda, misinformation, and pornography online is harming the intellectual and moral development of youths, making them less attentive to studies and less interested in attending school and college.
Furthermore, it warned of growing youth involvement in criminal activities, including organised group crimes, driven by digital media misuse, along with rising addiction to online games and pornography that is increasingly difficult for parents to control.
