In a recent study conducted on 1,773 students revealed that 85.9% of students attribute their mental health issues to the role of the internet.
Anchal Foundation, a non-profit organization, unveiled the findings during a virtual conference held on Saturday.
The organization stated that the internet has become an inseparable part of our lives, involved in our daily tasks in one way or another. However, it significantly impacts young students with negative consequences.
Around 72.2% of students experience some form of mental health problems at some point in their lives. Among them, 26.1% of students consider the internet solely responsible for their mental health problems, while 59.8% believe it plays a significant role. Only 8.3% of students did not hold the internet accountable for their mental health issues.
The organization has expressed concern over the large number of students who attribute their mental health problems to the internet.
According to the survey, 38.2% of students use the internet for academic purposes.
Some 67.5% spend their leisure time, 42.9% for communication needs, 24.9% for playing online games or watching videos, 12.6% for online shopping, and 8% for financial requirements.
The survey reveals that a significant portion of young students spend more time on non-productive activities on the internet.
Among the participating students, 34.3% believe that internet usage significantly influences their normal lives, while 57.2% have a slight impact on their normal lives.
Analyzing the influential impact, 59.6% consider that spending time on the internet hampers their focus on studies.
Some 17.8% have engaged in unfavourable activities associated with internet usage, such as watching pornography, cybercrime, hacking, and bullying.
Some 23% have gradually become introverted, 35.6% have experienced various forms of mental stress, including depression, and 20.3% have become socially detached, according to the findings of the survey.
Students are losing focus on their studies and facing the threat of academic underperformance due to internet usage outside of their academic pursuits. Additionally, students have experienced negative impacts on their family and social relationships, personal lives, sleep, and physical well-being.
According to the survey, social media activities such as receiving likes, comments, shares, or followers have significantly influenced the self-confidence of 26.5% of students. However, 35.7% of students mentioned that their self-confidence is occasionally affected.
The exposure to others' achievements through social media has led to feelings of disappointment in 10.4% of students. Furthermore, 18.7% of students experience low self-esteem, while 10.5% suffer from jealousy.
On the other hand, 34.4% of students find encouragement from such news.
However, it is worth noting that 26% of students do not prioritize these news items internally.
Anchal Foundation President Tanseem Rauz said: "A significant portion of students are using the internet to spend their leisure time. In this era of globalization, if our young generation does not use the internet, they will lag behind. However, according to the survey, they want to use the internet as a means of entertainment because the entertainment options in our country have become limited. Students engage in activities such as watching pornography, playing online games, and watching videos through social media, which contribute to their mental health issues. The internet contains numerous distractions that, without digital literacy among students, can ensnare and harm them."
Regarding over-dependence on the online platform, he added: "We have observed a sudden surge in online-based crimes. Many students are involved in unethical activities, including cybercrime and blackmailing, which pose threats to their own and their families' future. It has even encouraged some to commit suicide."
Kamal Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, professor at Psychology Department of Dhaka University, said: "According to the survey, in some cases, a worrisome picture has emerged. Whether the internet is benefiting or harming the elderly individuals who use it is still a matter of consideration. Especially among the age group of 19-30 years, the level of disappointment, distress, and other social and mental instability is higher than before. The suicide rate among them is also alarming. In this case, the internet can be partially responsible."
Deputy Civil Surgeon of Tangail, Dr Maruf Ahmed Khan, stated: "According to the DSM-5 guidelines, it can be observed that internet addiction is recognized as a disorder. Furthermore, it is evident that internet addiction is associated with a doubled sense of distress among individuals."
To address the problem, Anchal Foundation has put forth some proposals.
Among them are ensuring the proper use of the internet by implementing Digital Literacy Programs in schools and colleges, establishing internet rescue camps for students to reduce addiction through counselling, therapy, and educational programs, and promoting direct communication in social and family interactions instead of internet dependency.
