TDS Desk:

A large section of teenagers and young adults in Bangladesh has become accustomed to “gang culture,” with many drifting toward the negative rather than positive uses of the internet. Disruption of a healthy learning environment in educational institutions is pushing many away from proper education. Frustrated and directionless, some are falling into drug addiction.

To fund their drug habits, these youths are engaging in snatching, robbery, and other crimes—sometimes even resorting to murder. Recent incidents, along with input from law enforcement and experts, reveal that this is a nationwide problem, particularly evident in Dhaka. Yet, there are still no effective initiatives to stop the criminal activities of teenage gangs, which is accelerating social decay.

Experts warn that to tackle the issue, the state must reduce deprivation among adolescents, ensure financial and educational security, and enforce the law more strictly. According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), there are 36 million teenagers in the country. While there is no separate government database for juvenile crime, research shows alarming growth: between 2023 and 2024, the number of teenage gangs rose by 37 percent—from 173 groups in 2022 to 237 in 2024. Of these, 127 are based in the capital alone.

These gangs are involved in crimes such as harassment, snatching, theft, extortion, drug dealing, and even murder. Sarwar Jahan (pseudonym), once a teenage gang leader in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area, said that he formed a group of 15–20 boys while still in 10th grade, including SSC candidates and local troublemakers.

“A local political leader noticed us,” he said. “We called him ‘bhai.’ If he wanted someone threatened, we showed up. People feared us—and we enjoyed that fear. If someone didn’t show respect, we beat them up to assert dominance.” Sarwar eventually left the gang after finishing his SSC, under family pressure.

Experts say juvenile crime is emerging as a serious social threat to Bangladesh’s future generation. From theft and mugging to drug trafficking, murder, and rape, teenagers are increasingly involved in violent crimes.

One study found that 69% of juvenile offenders are driven to crime by poverty. Domestic conflict, parental neglect, and lack of love and care hinder mental development, making teenagers more prone to delinquency. A lack of education reduces their ability to judge right from wrong, while rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and foreign cultural influences are eroding social values.

Dr Monirul Islam Khan, professor of Sociology at Dhaka University, said, “Deprivation and economic inequality are increasing in society. The number of educated unemployed youth is rising. One study shows 32 percent of educated young people want to leave the country. Political conflict and lack of trust in institutions are undermining discipline. Youth are emotional; they can either build or break society. Any chaos sparks anger among them.”

Human rights activist ASM Nasir Uddin Elan said social decay began under the former authoritarian government. “Because of impunity, many youths turned to mob actions. After last year’s 5 August mass uprising, these mobs grew larger. Although students removed the fascist regime, some turned to delinquency and even forced teachers to resign—which was not desirable. I believe students can lead the way in reversing this decay and building a healthy society.”

INTERNET MISUSE DRIVING CRIME

Uncontrolled use of social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Likee, and Myspace is pushing many teenagers astray. A police officer noted that many educated youths are now focused on earning money through Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok video blogging, which sometimes fuels social disorder. “Drugs are openly sold on these platforms,” he added. “The misuse of technology is worsening social degradation day by day.”