MAHTAB UDDIN AHMED

If Bangladesh suddenly bans social media for everyone under sixteen, the first shock will not shake the earth. It will shake the nation’s emotions. Picture this: teenagers staring at silent phones, much like we all did during last July’s internet shutdown, parents finally discovering what their children actually look like, and coaching centres declaring a national emergency because students suddenly have “too much time to study”. Even TikTokers will be forced to relearn ancient human skills such as talking to real people, reading books, or the most terrifying activity of all, doing homework. For once, children might even hear real birds singing instead of dramatic TikTok soundtracks where everyone cries, dances, and gives life advice at the same time.

Australia has pioneered the world’s first under-16 social media ban. The government claims it is not trying to torture teenagers but trying to save their sanity, safety and sleep. The idea is simple: remove children from platforms that algorithmically serve anxiety, body shaming, cyberbullying and the endless pressure to look perfect at age thirteen. Officials argue that young brains are not designed to handle dopamine factories disguised as apps. Platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X and Reddit must now prevent underage users from having accounts or risk fines heavy enough to wipe the smile off even Meta.

Authorities insist this is about protecting future generations from a mental-health epidemic hidden behind ring lights and filters. Australia believes that if children spend less time scrolling for validation and more time doing ordinary teenage things, such as outdoor sports, friendships, or simply being bored, the country may end up with healthier adults and fewer therapy bills. Many parents are thrilled. Teenagers, however, have announced a national period of mourning and are already searching for VPNs faster than kangaroos can hop.

Other countries are also considering similar measures. The United States is debating age-verification laws in several states. France requires parental consent for under-15 users. The United Kingdom is tightening online safety rules. Several African nations allow telecom operators and banks to run digital platforms, which creates stricter accountability. The global mood is shifting. Social media is useful, but not when it hijacks childhood.

Countries such as South Korea, China and parts of Europe have already taken bold steps. Some switch off online gaming or restrict internet access at night so teenagers can sleep instead of watching “one last video” until sunrise. Meanwhile, a recent global report shows another trend: social media posting has sharply dropped because AI-generated fake photos and fake “perfect lives” are flooding platforms. Real humans are quietly stepping back because it is hard to compete when even robots look better.

Bangladesh can learn from these developments. We already worry about declining attention spans, rising addiction and a generation that believes editing skills matter more than ethics. A thoughtful age-management policy could help, especially in protecting children from predators, bullying and misinformation. But we must confront a technical reality.

Half our Facebook users appear as Dark Angel, King Slayer or Tui Ke Amar Janish Na, and nearly everyone claims to be “18+”. If we rely on ID checks, platforms will assume Bangladesh has 20 crore adults and no children. A solution could include AI age-checks, parent-linked accounts, telecom verification and a child “education mode”. Parents, schools and NGOs must also stop pretending nothing is wrong.

A global APA-reported survey shows more than 70 percent of teenagers say social media stress affects relationships and sleep. In Bangladesh, BRAC and Unicef studies report rising anxiety, cyberbullying and academic decline linked to excessive screen time. Many parents admit they feel powerless.

If we do nothing, social media will shape our children more than parents, schools, or the country ever will. If we act now, we can protect a generation before algorithms raise them.

The writer is the president of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh and founder of BuildCon Consultancies Ltd