Social media has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, and it is no exception in schools in Bangladesh. While social media has many benefits, such as facilitating communication and openness, it also poses a considerable risk to students' academic lives, privacy, and even physical safety. Cyberbullying and addiction to social media are just some of the negative effects that students may experience. Therefore, it is crucial to balance the positive and negative impacts of social media to promote a safe and healthy environment for students in schools. This task involves the effort of guardians, teachers, and the government, who have the respective responsibilities of protecting and guiding students on proper online conduct. In this essay, I’ll delve deeply into the role of social media in schools in Bangladesh and the various measures that guardians, teachers, and the government can take to alleviate its negative impacts.
As social media has become an integral part of the lives of students in schools in Bangladesh, it has many positive impacts, such as increased socialization, engagement, and learning opportunities, etc. Some other important points are as follows:
1. Increased access to information: Social media has provided students with access to a wealth of information and resources, which can supplement and enhance their learning experiences in the classroom.
2. Improved communication: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp have made it easier for students to communicate with each other, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.
3. Creation of a global learning community: Social media has enabled students in Bangladesh to connect with their peers from all over the world, allowing them to learn about different cultures and perspectives.
4. Building digital skills: Social media use can help students build technological and digital skills that are essential in the modern world, such as online research, digital communication, and media literacy.
One major negative impact of social media on students is the increase in exposure to cyberbullying, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Also, students tend to spend excessive time on social media, which can affect their concentration, memory retention, and academic performance. Social media can also be very addictive, leading to a reduction in physical activities and healthy social interactions. Some very harmful issues discuss below:
1. Cyberbullying: Social media platforms have become a breeding ground for cyberbullying, which can have a severe impact on students’ mental health and academic performance.
2. Distraction: Frequent use of social media can cause students to become distracted and lose focus on their studies, resulting in decreased academic performance.
3. Exposure to inappropriate content: Social media platforms can expose students to inappropriate content, including violent and sexually explicit images and videos, which can have a negative impact on their development.
4. Addiction: Social media can be addictive, and excessive use can lead to students spending less time on their studies and more time on social media, resulting in decreased academic performance.
It is the responsibility of guardians and teachers to protect their students from the negative impacts of social media. Guardians should play an active role in monitoring the online activities of their children, setting boundaries, and educating them on the appropriate ways to use social media. Teachers can also help by integrating social media into their lessons to promote the safe, responsible, and relevant use of social media. The duty of guardians and teachers to protect students from the negative impacts of social media in Bangladesh can be summarized into the following points:
1. Education on responsible social media use: Guardians and teachers should educate students on the responsible and safe use of social media. This includes teaching them about the potential risks of social media and how to protect themselves and others from cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators.
2. Monitoring social media use: Guardians and teachers should monitor students' social media use to ensure that they are not engaging in harmful or inappropriate behavior. This can be done by setting up parental controls, regularly checking their social media accounts, and monitoring their online activity.
3. Encouraging offline activities: Guardians and teachers should encourage students to engage in offline activities like sports, hobbies, and socializing with friends and family. This can help reduce the amount of time they spend on social media and promote a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
4. Providing support: Guardians and teachers should provide support to students who are affected by the negative impacts of social media. This can include offering counseling services, providing resources for dealing with cyberbullying, and helping students develop healthy coping mechanisms.
5. Collaboration with other stakeholders: Guardians and teachers should collaborate with other stakeholders, such as school administrators and law enforcement agencies, to develop policies and strategies for protecting students from the negative impacts of social media. This can include developing guidelines for social media use, establishing reporting mechanisms for cyberbullying, and implementing interventions for students who are affected by online harm.
By taking these steps, guardians and teachers in Bangladesh can help protect students from the negative impacts of social media and promote a safe and healthy online environment.
The government of Bangladesh also has a role in protecting students from the negative impacts of social media. The government can promote social media literacy in schools by partnering with relevant organizations and ensuring that students have access to proper digital literacy education. They can also enforce regulations that will hold companies accountable for protecting minors from online harm. Some of the steps that the government can take to address this issue include:
1. Developing policies and guidelines: The government can develop policies and guidelines that outline best practices for safe and responsible social media use by students. These policies can include recommendations for parental guidance, support for schools to develop social media policies, and training for teachers and parents on how to identify and respond to online harms.
2. Providing education and training: The government can provide education and training to students, teachers, and parents on how to use social media safely and responsibly. This training can cover topics like cyberbullying, online predators, and data privacy, and can be delivered through schools, community centers, and other educational venues.
3. Enforcing existing laws: The government can enforce existing laws related to online safety and cybercrime. This can include laws that prohibit cyberbullying, harassment and the distribution of sexually explicit content.
4. Collaborating with social media platforms: The government can work with social media platforms to ensure that they are taking appropriate measures to protect students from online harms. This can include working with platforms to develop age verification systems, implementing reporting mechanisms for online harms, and promoting digital literacy and safety.
5. Funding research and initiatives: The government can fund research and initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing the negative impacts of social media on students. This can include funding research on online harms, providing grants to organizations that promote online safety, and partnering with universities and research institutions to develop evidence-based interventions.
By taking these steps, the Bangladesh government can help protect students from the negative impacts of social media and promote a safe and healthy online environment for young people.
In conclusion, while social media has the potential to be a valuable tool for students in schools in Bangladesh, it is essential to recognize and address the negative impacts it can have on their academic and personal lives. Educating students on responsible social media use and implementing policies to prevent cyberbullying and limit distractions can help mitigate these negative effects and promote a positive learning environment. The positive and negative impacts of social media on students in schools in Bangladesh must be balanced, with the responsibilities of guardians, teachers, and the government taken into account in protecting the students from the negative impacts of social media.

The writer is a Professor and the Head,
Department of Political Science, City University
of Mogadishu.
E-mail: [email protected]