In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, Bangladesh stands out as a striking example of how technology, specifically mobile phones, profoundly reshapes everyday life. The Telenor Asia Digital Lives Decoded 2023 Report sheds light on this remarkable transformation, revealing the extensive impact of mobile technology across various facets of Bangladeshi society. From enhancing family relationships to bolstering work productivity, mobile phones are both communication tools and catalysts for empowerment and progress. This blog delves into the key findings of the report, illustrating the pivotal role of mobile technology in Bangladesh’s journey towards a more connected and digitally skilled future.

Mobile Phones and Family Time

A large number of people in Bangladesh, about 33%, say that mobile phones have helped them get closer to their families. This is more than the average in the region, which is 22%. Many people think phones might make us less close to our families, but in Bangladesh, the opposite is true. About one in three people in Bangladesh say that mobile phones have made their family relationships better. This is more than in other nearby countries.

Good Balance with Phone Use

People in Bangladesh are smart about how they use their phones. Most of them think they have a good balance – they’re not using their phones too much. More people feel this way now than they did last year. Most people in Bangladesh, around 77%, think they use their phones just the right amount. They don’t feel like they’re using them too much. This is better than last year, when 71% felt this way.

Phones Make People Feel Empowered

For many in Bangladesh, using their phones for shopping, searching online, or chatting with friends makes them feel more capable and strong. This is especially true compared to people in other countries. Using phones for things like shopping, searching the internet, and chatting makes people in Bangladesh feel really good and powerful. They feel more empowered by their mobile devices compared to people in other countries.

Confidence in Digital Skills

67% of people using mobiles in Bangladesh are really confident in their skills to use them. This is higher than the average in the region, which is 54%. But, there’s a difference between men and women – 73% of men feel confident, while only 58% of women do.

Using Phones for Learning and Work

36% of people in Bangladesh use their phones for education, which is more than the regional average of 27%. And 47% think that mobile phones have made them better at their jobs in the last 1-5 years.

New Technologies at Work

A lot of people in Bangladesh, about 82%, are using new technologies like AI at work. And 47% think they will use AI even more in the next six months.

Online Safety Concerns

People in Bangladesh worry about things like bullying online and keeping their personal information safe. Almost half of them have faced bullying online, and most are worried about their privacy when using their phones. However, there are some concerns too. About 49% of people in Bangladesh have faced online bullying, and 90% are worried about the privacy and security of their phones.

Wrap Up!

In conclusion, the Telenor Asia Digital Lives Decoded 2023 Report highlights the transformative role of mobile technology in Bangladesh. It shows not just increased digital connectivity, but also a positive impact on family relationships, education, and work. While there is a high level of digital skill confidence and an embracing of new technologies like AI, issues like gender disparity in digital confidence and concerns over online safety and privacy remain areas needing attention. Overall, the mobile revolution in Bangladesh presents a dynamic mix of empowerment and challenges in the digital age.

Author:
Rashedun Nabi
Start-Up Builder, Innovation Strategist and Intrapreneur
https://rashedunnabi.com