It feels like the internet, especially social media, has become a wild west of words. There’s this growing sense that people can say absolutely anything, no matter how nasty, false, or aggressive, without any real consequences. It’s like a free-for-all where decency and respect have gone out the window. We’re seeing a flood of fake stories and character attacks, not just on regular folks, but even on our most important leaders and their families. This constant barrage of negativity, often in short, punchy videos on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, is slowly but surely chipping away at what we understand as good behavior and moral standards. It’s truly disheartening to watch.
What’s even more concerning is that some of this online venom seems to be organized. There are these shadowy “bot networks” — essentially groups of fake accounts — popping up, and many suspect they’re linked to political agendas. They’re really crafty, too, often trying to pass off their hateful language as “freedom of expression.” But let’s be honest, there’s a big difference between speaking your mind and spewing obscenities and hate. The genuine spirit of protest, which should be about thoughtful discussion and constructive criticism, is getting drowned out by this ugliness. The sad outcome of all this is that many good, well-meaning people are now too scared to even share their thoughts online about their country, society, or politics, fearing they’ll become the next target of this relentless online mob.
Imagine this: a respected public figure, someone who doesn’t even have a daughter, was recently baselessly accused on Facebook of having a daughter involved in scandalous activities. It’s a perfect example of how far some people will go to create fiction and damage reputations. And then there’s the heartbreaking situation of a female political activist who passed away. Instead of respectful condolences, her death was met with a torrent of vile and obscene comments. It’s a truly chilling sign, as many onlookers point out, of a deep crack in our societal values. When people can’t even show basic respect to the deceased, it makes you wonder what kind of world we’re living in.
A standout incident that really hit home for many involved the NASA Artemis II lunar mission. A Facebook page called “Biggan Tathya” shared an exciting post about it, highlighting Christina Koch, a 47-year-old female astronaut who was part of the mission. Instead of celebrating her incredible achievement, a disturbing number of users posted incredibly crude and obscene remarks about her. The page’s author, clearly frustrated but wise, responded by saying that a true measure of someone’s education isn’t just what they know, but how they behave and speak. He powerfully noted that if a mature, accomplished woman like Koch can be subjected to such vulgarity, then no woman is truly safe from this kind of disrespect in certain corners of society. He ended with a profound truth: those who disrespect others’ mothers ultimately disrespect their own. It was a stark reminder of the underlying misogyny that fuels much of this online abuse.
Mohiuddin Ahmed, a well-known writer and researcher, perfectly captured the sentiment of many when he wrote on Facebook last year, “I used to post about politics on Facebook. Now I avoid it as much as possible. The way ignorant and ill-mannered individuals swarm and troll makes one’s blood pressure rise.” He painted a vivid picture of Facebook in his country not as a vibrant platform for social exchange, but as a space overrun by what he called the “ignorant and uncouth.” He described these users as intensely nationalistic, religiously extreme, communal, and deeply misogynistic, completely lacking in basic education, discipline, and civility. His words resonate deeply with anyone who has witnessed the hostile environment social media has become.
Adding to this concern, a female journalist shared her worries towards the end of last year. While abusive language isn’t new, she argued, it becomes truly dangerous when it morphs into political slogans, seeping into the public consciousness. Her particular alarm was for children, who are increasingly exposed to this toxic language through their devices. She sent a direct plea to those in power, asking if they truly understood the far-reaching impact of this toxicity. It’s not just affecting other people’s homes and families, she warned; it’s quietly infiltrating their own, shaping the minds and behaviors of the next generation in ways we might not even fully grasp yet.
The run-up to last year’s elections showcased just how deeply entrenched this online warfare has become. One political group reportedly encouraged its supporters to create fake Facebook accounts specifically to dig up dirt and defame rival leaders. Unsurprisingly, in a tit-for-tat response, opposing groups rallied their own activists to jump onto social media to counter these attacks. It’s a digital arms race, with truth often being the first casualty.
A recent newspaper article, an Eid special titled “YouTuber” by a former interim government adviser, pulled back the curtain on how these “bot networks” are meticulously built and deployed to systematically discredit individuals online. It revealed the chilling, organized nature behind some of the seemingly random attacks we see.
And the situation, unfortunately, is only getting worse. A report from Rumour Scanner Bangladesh, a reputable fact-checking organization, painted a grim picture. In the first three months of this year alone, they identified a staggering 1,974 instances of misinformation in Bangladesh. That’s a nearly 136 percent jump compared to the same period last year! It also represents a significant 37 percent increase from the previous quarter. The report highlighted that major national political events, like the 13th parliamentary election, along with global issues, were fueling this surge. Disturbingly, the current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, was the most frequent target of individual misinformation, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party bore the brunt of attacks among political parties.
This alarming trend has naturally sparked a renewed debate about “freedom of expression,” especially after a political activist was arrested for allegedly offensive social media remarks. Amin Al Rashid, a journalist, researcher, and columnist, weighed in, making a crucial distinction: no developed democracy allows abusive or defamatory language under the guise of free speech. He argued that while governments shouldn’t restrict speech for purely political reasons, no state can permit unlimited insults, obscenities, or baseless vitriol, as that would plunge society into “uncontrollable anarchy.”
One user, commenting on the activist’s bail, put it perfectly: genuine criticism should be factual, civil, and aimed at helping improve things. Personal attacks, vulgar comments about family members, or spreading lies simply cannot be called criticism. Yet, in a bizarre twist, some users now even justify their abusive comments by adding a bracketed disclaimer: “I have exercised a part of my freedom of expression.” It’s a worrying sign of how distorted the concept of free speech has become.
Dr. Shah Kawsar Mustafa Abul Ulai, a former philosophy professor, put it bluntly: indecent behavior and abusive language have become rampant in society, reaching “intolerable levels” on social media. He observed that this toxicity has now seeped into politics, contributing to a broader moral decline. While he admits abusive language existed even in past eras, it was always within bounds. As a philosopher, he finds the current trend deeply harmful, particularly the spread of half-truths and false information alongside the overt abuse. He made an impassioned plea to social thinkers, teachers, and intellectuals across the political spectrum to unite and tackle this issue, urging them to champion civility and truth.
For those seeking justice, senior lawyer Manzill Murshid explained that legal avenues exist. Even before the digital age, laws were in place to address defamation and insult. With the rise of the internet, laws like the Digital Security Act were introduced, and while amended, relevant provisions remain. Victims can, and do, file cases through cyber tribunals. However, he highlighted a major hurdle: fake accounts. He noted that many offensive comments come from profiles lacking real identities or images, often operated by a single person managing hundreds of fake accounts to spread defamation while hiding their true identity. Since platforms like Facebook are run by foreign companies, direct intervention is limited. Still, users can report such accounts, and platforms may block them after review. His advice to the public is simple yet powerful: ignore these anonymous accounts. If people stop engaging with them, he believes, these malicious efforts will ultimately lose their power.