Legal Notice Seeks Social Media Ban for Under-16s

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A legal notice has been sent to the government seeking a ban on the use of social media platforms by children and teenagers under the age of 16, citing growing concerns over online addiction, cyber abuse, violence, and the negative impact of digital content on young people.

The notice was issued on Thursday by Barrister Sanaullah Noori on behalf of Legal Voice Foundation.

It was sent to the Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, the Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, widely known as BTRC.

The notice urged the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to regulate social media use and prevent widespread misuse of digital platforms among minors.

According to the legal notice, platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube are increasingly being used in harmful and irresponsible ways by children and adolescents.

The notice claims that excessive and unregulated use of social media has contributed to rising levels of addiction, cyberbullying, violent behaviour, and social isolation among young users. It argues that many children are losing interest in outdoor activities, sports, and studies due to prolonged engagement with digital platforms.

Concerns were also raised over exposure to misinformation, propaganda, explicit content, and harmful online trends, which the notice says are negatively affecting the mental development, moral values, and emotional wellbeing of children and teenagers.

The legal document further stated that easy access to inappropriate content and online gaming addiction is pushing some young users toward risky and criminal behaviour. It warned that in many cases, parents are struggling to control their children’s online activities because of limited digital literacy and lack of awareness about how these platforms operate.

The notice also referred to reports of teenagers becoming involved in organised online groups linked to bullying, harassment, and other forms of harmful activity, saying the issue has become a growing social concern.

Authorities have been asked to introduce realistic and effective regulatory measures within 15 days of receiving the notice. These measures may include age restrictions, stronger monitoring systems, awareness campaigns for parents, and tighter control over harmful online content targeting minors.

The issue of regulating children’s access to social media has become a topic of debate in many countries, with governments around the world exploring stricter rules to address concerns over mental health, online safety, and digital addiction among young users.