Mobile addiction is as harmful as drugs: IGP

Mir Afroz Zaman, POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Sept 5, 2026 : In the era of artificial intelligence and the internet, excessive smartphone dependence, psychological addiction to social media and digital video gaming has a harmful effect on the human brain like conventional chemical drugs.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir warned students about these technological and behavioral risks at the ‘Bangladesh Police Merit Scholarship’ ceremony organized at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital on Saturday morning, September 5. The ceremony was organized by the Police Headquarters to recognize the technology awareness and merit of the children of police members who scored GPA-5 in the 2024 and 2025 SSC, HSC and equivalent public examinations.
Md. Ali Hossain Fakir was the chief guest at the ceremony. The ceremony was chaired by Additional IG Administration AKM Awlad Hossain, and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed spoke at the ceremony, and Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Md. Ismail Hossain. This scholarship is provided with the funding of Bangladesh Police Welfare Trust.
Warning about the neurological effects of technology and digital hygiene, IGP Md. Ali Hossain Fakir said that falling into the trap of drugs due to temporary curiosity or persuasion is destructive, similarly, uncontrolled over-addiction to smartphones, social media algorithms and internet games is as harmful as addiction to narcotics. Emphasizing on the management of technology, he told the students, ‘You should use technology, so that technology cannot use you.’ He called for building the future of Bangladesh by possessing honesty, humanity, moral values ​​and scientific patriotism along with talent.
Regarding the control of digital screen time, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed congratulated the students and said that deep concentration is required for continuous success in life. Therefore, he advised to reduce the excess screen time on devices and increase the time for academic studies and research-oriented work. In his speech, AKM Awlad Hossain emphasized the importance of regular physical exercise and sports to develop physical and mental well-being, away from digital screens.
According to statistics, a total of 2,113 students, including 801 students who obtained GPA-5 in the 2024 SSC examination and 272 students in HSC, and 845 students who obtained GPA-5 in the 2025 SSC examination and 195 students in HSC, have received Bangladesh Police Merit Scholarships in the two academic years. On Saturday, September 5, 360 students were officially awarded scholarships and certificates in Dhaka; the remaining students will be awarded scholarships through the database of the offices of the respective district police superintendents.