BMPCA Calls for Strict Monitoring and Ban on Online Gambling and Pornography Sites

The Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers’ Association (BMPCA) has raised concerns over the growing prevalence of online gambling and pornography among the country's youth, which they say is leading to increased rates of depression and mental health issues. BMPCA has called for the government to impose a strict ban and intensify surveillance on all gambling and pornography links and websites.

In a statement released on Monday (November 4), BMPCA President Mohiuddin Ahmed urged the authorities to take immediate action, highlighting data from October 2022 to June 2023, during which the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) blocked 12,003 online betting sites and a significant number of pornography sites. Despite these efforts, Ahmed noted that control has proven difficult, and regulatory bodies like BTRC and the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) have struggled to sustain these actions.

A recent study revealed that 63% of teenagers in Bangladesh are internet-dependent, with 76.6% suffering from depression and 62.9% reportedly addicted to pornography. Additionally, BMPCA's own research suggests that nearly 20 million internet users in the country are directly or indirectly engaged in online gambling.

Ahmed further stated that browsers such as Firefox, Opera Mini, and Chrome offer unrestricted access to pornography links, while social media pages are increasingly used to advertise illicit services, connecting users directly to WhatsApp.

Ahmed emphasized the need for quick government action to safeguard the next generation and urged media outlets, telecom operators, regulatory bodies, the government, and educational institutions to promote awareness about online safety.