MP to propose ban on social media use for under-18s

Chandpur-5 (Hajiganj-Shahrasti) lawmaker Engineer Mominul Haque has said he will place a proposal in Parliament seeking to prevent those under the age of 18 from using social media platforms, including Facebook, to curb excessive smartphone use.

He made the announcement while exchanging views with governing body chairpersons and heads of educational institutions at the Upazila Parishad hallroom in Hajiganj on Friday.

The meeting, chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ibne Al Zayed Hossain, was attended by chairpersons, principals, headteachers and superintendents of colleges, secondary schools and madrasas across the upazila.

Addressing the meeting as the chief guest, the MP said every educational institution should have an additional telephone so that teachers and students can contact parents whenever necessary. He added that he would submit a proposal in the next parliamentary session to restrict the use of Facebook and other social media platforms by those below 18 years of age.

He also urged educational institutions to discourage students from using mobile phones on campus and requested teachers to refrain from using phones during classroom lessons.

Calling for greater transparency, the lawmaker said digital attendance systems and banking channels should be introduced in all educational institutions for financial transactions. He also stressed that educational institutions should remain free from political influence.

Mominul Haque further called for setting aside a designated green corner in every institution for planting saplings and flowering plants as part of a greening initiative. He also urged the plantation of 100,000 trees in Hajiganj.

He said students should help raise awareness among their guardians to ensure that no illegal transactions take place in the distribution of Family Cards, Farmers' Cards and allowances for imams and muezzins.

The MP also proposed forming ward-level committees comprising 11 to 13 members, including imams, teachers and other local dignitaries, to help curb drug abuse and gambling.

The meeting was moderated by Upazila Secondary Education Officer AKM Jahangir Alam.

Among others, Upazila BNP Convener Moniruzzaman Monir, Member Secretary MA Rahim Patwari, and representatives of educational institution governing bodies and institution heads also spoke at the programme.

MHU/ SKS