Raushon wants Facebook blocked after 11pm every day in Bangladesh

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad has advised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to block Facebook access after 11pm every day to force students to study.

She made the suggestion while speaking about negative impacts of the excessive use of the internet, especially the social media, in her closing speech at the 22nd session of the 10th parliament on Thursday.

“Our children are spending too much time on smartphones and internet. They browse Facebook overnight instead of getting sleep,” said the Jatiya Party co-chairperson.

“They have become addicted to Facebook. It would be better if we can limit the time. They will pay more attention to study if Facebook is kept closed after 11pm.

“Many countries like China and Saudi Arabia don’t have Facebook,” added the former First Lady.     

Giving children smartphone is similar to “giving them cocaine”, according to her.

“We must save the children if we want to build a Digital Bangladesh, golden Bangladesh. We must find a way,” the 75-year old politician said.   

She also urged the prime minister to see to it that the students and jobseekers, who are demonstrating for reforms to the quota system in government jobs, are not harassed.

The leader of the opposition expressed solidarity with those demanding that the maximum age limit for entering government jobs be raised to 35.

“The prime minister has the heart of a mother. I hope she will consider the demand from the perspective of a mother.”

Raushon also called for inclusion of all private educational institutions in the government’s Monthly Pay Order or MPO scheme.