Event on 10 October to highlight responsible use of social media
[Dhaka, Bangladesh] The Internet Society (ISOC) is convening a forum with government, businesses, civil society members, and online activists to discuss emerging norms around social media use in Bangladesh. The event, Asia Internet Symposium (AIS) Dhaka, is the latest installment of ISOC’s AIS series, and will be hosted by the ISOC Dhaka Chapter on 10 October.
“Bangladesh has a young population of Internet users, and it is also one of the fastest growing social media markets in the region,” said Rajnesh Singh, Regional Bureau Director for Asia-Pacific at the Internet Society. “It is important for stakeholders to get the conversation going on how social media can be used as a tool for empowerment, while also minimising abusive or harmful behaviour online.”
Recent figures from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission peg the country’s Internet users at 51 million. Half of Bangladesh’s 160 million-strong population is under 24-years old ─ the most active age group in social media. Meanwhile, social media use has jumped by 128% from last year, according to We Are Social, with some 88% of its 13.2 million social media users accessing the Internet through a mobile device.
Internet users in Bangladesh take to social media and blogging platforms to communicate and voice ideas, particularly on socio-political issues, but a number of recent incidents involving hate speech, cyberbullying, and disturbing content have led to concerns over the rise of irresponsible behaviour online.
AIS Dhaka aims to address ways Internet stakeholders in Bangladesh can promote responsible conduct on the Internet, particularly among the young generation, while also protecting users’ digital rights. The event will be streamed live from 15.30 – 19.00 local time (UTC +6). Please follow this link to view the full agenda.
About the Internet Society
The Internet Society, www.internetsociety.org, is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership from around the world. It is also the organizational home for the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone.
Media Contact: Noelle de Guzman, [email protected], +65 6407 1470