Why Digital Awareness in Bangladesh Matters

Digital awareness in Bangladesh is now more than a necessity. It is a foundation for national progress. With over 130 million internet users and 54 million social media accounts (DataReportal 2024), Bangladesh is one of the most digitally active nations in South Asia. However, being online is not the same as being aware.

Most citizens can browse the internet or use apps, but many still lack the understanding of online safety, privacy, and digital literacy. According to UNICEF Bangladesh, around 70 percent of young internet users have never received formal education about safe online practices. As the country moves toward Smart Bangladesh 2041, digital awareness becomes essential for building a modern, informed, and inclusive society.

To understand why this is so important, it helps to look at how far Bangladesh has come and how much more it needs to do to create a digitally aware population.
For related insight, explore Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021 and Smart Bangladesh 2041.

The Journey Toward Digital Transformation

Digital awareness in Bangladesh began to take shape with the Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021, a policy aimed at transforming government services, education, and business through technology. Between 2009 and 2021, more than 8,000 digital centers were established across rural Bangladesh, bringing internet access and online services to millions.

By 2023, Bangladesh had become the 10th largest mobile market in the world, with over 195 million mobile connections (BTRC). This explosion of connectivity changed the way citizens communicate, learn, and earn. However, the rise in connectivity has also highlighted a gap, while access to the internet is growing, the ability to use it safely and effectively is lagging behind.

Understanding the Concept of Digital Awareness

Digital awareness means more than knowing how to use a smartphone. It involves understanding digital literacy, online safety, cyber ethics, and information verification. In Bangladesh, many people use Facebook and YouTube but often fall victim to misinformation, data theft, or online harassment.

Research by UNDP Bangladesh (2023) found that only 38 percent of respondents could identify fake news online, while over 50 percent admitted to sharing content without verifying its source. This low digital literacy creates risks not only for individuals but also for social harmony and national security.

Learn more about global standards of digital literacy by UNESCO.

Why Digital Awareness Is Important for Bangladesh

The importance of digital awareness in Bangladesh can be seen in five key areas:

1. Empowering the Workforce:
   Bangladesh’s growing freelancing and outsourcing sector depends on digital skills. The country currently ranks second globally in online freelancing (Oxford Internet Institute). Digital awareness improves employability and ensures sustainable income through online work.
2. Fighting Misinformation:
   Social media has become a primary news source for many. However, false or politically motivated information can spread rapidly. Awareness teaches users how to fact-check and consume information responsibly.
3. Protecting Privacy and Security:
   With the rise of digital transactions, citizens face risks like hacking, phishing, and data leaks. Awareness campaigns can reduce cybercrime rates and help people protect their personal data.
4. Enabling E-Governance:
   Government services such as Union Digital Centers, NID registration, and online tax filing depend on digital knowledge. Citizens who understand how to use these services save time and increase transparency.
5. Promoting Inclusion:
   Digital awareness ensures that women, rural citizens, and differently abled individuals can also benefit from digital opportunities rather than being left behind.

The State of Digital Awareness in Bangladesh Today

Despite progress, Bangladesh still faces a significant digital divide. In cities like Dhaka and Chattogram, tech-savvy youth are leading in e-commerce, fintech, and remote work. However, in rural areas, nearly 40 percent of internet users do not know how to protect their privacy online (BTRC, 2024).

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) reports that while internet penetration has crossed 75 percent, only one in three users has basic knowledge about cybersecurity or online identity protection. This lack of understanding makes people vulnerable to scams, fake accounts, and misinformation.

The Role of Education and Institutions

Integrating digital literacy into education is one of the most effective ways to build digital awareness in Bangladesh. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has already added ICT courses in secondary and higher secondary education. However, these lessons often focus on theory, not on real-world digital skills.

Universities and vocational institutions are also stepping in. Programs under a2i (Access to Information) and ICT Division have trained over 2 million young people in computer skills, freelancing, and cyber safety. Yet, the need is much greater to reach the full population, awareness must start at the school and community level.

Government and NGO Initiatives

The government has launched several initiatives to promote digital awareness in Bangladesh. For example:

• Digital Literacy Centers under the a2i program educate rural citizens about online platforms and e-services.
• UNICEF’s “Online Safety for Children” campaign teaches students how to use the internet safely.
• BRAC’s Digital Skills for Youth project focuses on young women entering the digital workforce.

International organizations like Google’s Be Internet Awesome and Facebook’s Digital Literacy Programs are also collaborating with Bangladeshi partners to train teachers and students in safe online behavior.

Read more at BRAC Digital Skills Program and UNICEF Bangladesh Digital Initiatives.

Challenges in Building Digital Awareness

1. Unequal Access:
   Rural areas still struggle with poor internet infrastructure, limiting participation in digital education.
2. Language Barriers:
   Much of the digital safety content is in English, not Bengali, making it difficult for mass users to understand.
3. Gender Gap:
   Only 38 percent of women in rural areas use mobile internet compared to 65 percent of men (GSMA 2023).
4. Lack of Public Campaigns:
   Awareness programs are often small-scale, focusing on urban audiences.

To overcome these barriers, Bangladesh needs consistent national awareness campaigns, community-based training, and partnerships between public and private sectors.

Digital Awareness and the Economy

Digital awareness in Bangladesh directly impacts economic growth. The ICT sector currently contributes around 2 percent of the national GDP and is expected to reach 5 percent by 2027 (ICT Division). As more citizens gain digital skills and awareness, they can participate in global markets, grow small businesses, and create jobs through online entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, digital banking and mobile financial services like bKash, Nagad, and Rocket are reshaping financial inclusion. Over 120 million accounts are now active, allowing rural workers to send money safely and efficiently. Awareness ensures that these systems are used securely, reducing fraud and promoting trust in the digital economy.

A Roadmap Toward a Digitally Aware Bangladesh

To achieve true digital awareness in Bangladesh, coordinated action is needed:

• Curriculum Reform: Make digital literacy part of early education.
• Community Engagement: Organize local digital camps to teach rural citizens.
• Language Localization: Create Bengali-friendly digital safety resources.
• Media Collaboration: Encourage responsible journalism and fact-checking initiatives.
• Gender Equality: Promote digital access and training for women.

If these efforts continue, Bangladesh can create a digitally conscious generation ready to lead the Smart Bangladesh vision.

Conclusion: The Smart Future of Bangladesh

Digital awareness in Bangladesh is not a luxury. It is a necessity for economic resilience, social integrity, and technological progress. A digitally aware population can fight misinformation, embrace innovation, and connect with the world confidently.

With the government, educators, and private sector working together, Bangladesh is moving toward a future where every citizen is digitally empowered and informed. The transformation has begun. What matters now is how inclusively it continues.