After school, 15-year-old Marzia (pseudonym) stood outside a coaching centre in Dhanmondi, staring at her phone. She used to chat regularly on Messenger with a classmate. When her family found out, her phone use was restricted, her coaching classes reduced, and her movement to and from school placed under stricter control.
“We only talked. He is my friend—we study in the same class,” Marzia said. “But it feels like we committed a big crime. I am under a lot of pressure at home.”
Similarly, 16-year-old Rifat (pseudonym) from Lalbagh said his relationship began in a Facebook study group.
“It feels easier to talk online. We talk secretly. But I am always scared that if my family finds out, there will be problems,” he said.
Such experiences are increasingly common. While attraction and romantic feelings are a natural part of adolescent psychological development, relationships among teenagers aged 13 to 17 are often viewed with suspicion in Bangladesh.
Teenagers now frequently move from friendship to romantic relationships through digital platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. These platforms allow them to chat, make video calls, and share photos, making emotions more visible—but also increasing risks.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics ICT Survey 2025–26, 56.2% of households in Bangladesh have internet access, while 48.9% of individuals aged five and above use the internet. Data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission shows internet subscribers reached around 135.99 million by July 2025, with teenagers making up a growing share of daily users.
However, digital spaces are not always safe.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that 88% of surveyed secondary school students in Bangladesh use the internet, and more than half reported experiencing online sexual abuse. Among them, 53% faced online grooming, 38% cyberflashing, 35% pressure related to sexting, 18% unwanted sexual approaches, and 12% sextortion.
Breakups in digital relationships can also be sudden and emotionally distressing. Being blocked or ignored online can cause significant mental strain.
“One day we argued over a small issue. She blocked me,” Rifat said. “I couldn’t talk to her anymore. I felt upset the whole day.”
Digital relationships are further linked to cyberbullying, blackmail, and the misuse of private photos or videos. A 2025 youth poll by UNICEF found misinformation, cyberbullying, and harmful content to be major sources of stress for young people in Bangladesh.
Rights activists warned in 2025 that up to 32% of children in Bangladesh had experienced online violence, including sexual harassment. A 2024 report by USAID also noted that more than half of internet users had faced cyberbullying, with women and girls reporting higher exposure.
Associate Professor Jobeda Khatun of the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Dhaka said adolescence is a vulnerable period.
“Feelings are very intense at this age. Rejection or humiliation hurts deeply,” she said. “Many teenagers do not seek help and struggle alone with online breakups or cyber-related problems.”
According to the World Health Organization, one in seven adolescents globally lives with a mental health condition, with emotional regulation and social acceptance playing key roles during this stage.
Parental concerns often centre on safety, education, and reputation. Marzia’s mother, Afroza Begum, said: “She is still young. If she gets involved now, her studies will suffer. Since she is a girl, we are more afraid.”
Professor Salma Begum of the University of Dhaka’s Sociology Department said girls are monitored more strictly than boys, with friendships often linked to family honour.
“This double standard creates additional mental pressure,” she said. “In rural areas, rumours can even lead to pressure for early marriage.”
Meanwhile, most schools provide limited education on consent, personal boundaries, and digital safety. A teacher at Dhanmondi Ideal School said attempts to discuss relationships openly often face parental resistance.
As a result, many teenagers remain unaware of online risks or the long-term consequences of sharing personal information. Mental health experts warn that banning teenage relationships does not stop them—it drives them underground, increasing the risk of emotional distress and cyber abuse.
“You can say everything online,” Rifat said. “But when there is a problem, I don’t have the courage to tell anyone.”
Experts stress that education, trust, and open communication—not strict control—are key. Teenage relationships may be temporary, but the support or rejection adolescents receive can leave lasting effects. In the digital age, understanding and guidance are essential to keeping young people safe.
