The Dangerous Rise of Social Media Trials in Bangladesh

There is no doubt that social media plays a pivotal role in our lives today. It connects people virtually, even when they are far apart physically. The rapid growth of affordable smartphones and internet connectivity has made access to social media easier than ever before. In recent times, Bangladesh has witnessed the remarkable impact of social media—particularly in shaping public opinion, influencing political ideologies, and mobilizing collective action.

For instance, the 2024 July Uprising expanded and gained momentum largely through social media. Events that took place during the July movement reached the country’s populace almost instantly. Beyond this, the usefulness of social media cannot be denied. However, while focusing solely on its positive aspects, are we overlooking its appalling consequences?

There are over 40 million Facebook users in Bangladesh, enabling voices from every corner of the nation to participate in discussions on contemporary events. Yet this immense power does not come without consequences. Beneath its ability to connect lies a malign mechanism that operates without accountability. The same speed that disseminates information to the public can just as easily distort truth and undermine fairness or justice. “Viral trends” now often expose individuals to the public eye in a manner akin to dragging them into a court of judgment—where verdicts are delivered not by law, but by public opinion.

Where justice in a court of law depends on evidence, due process, and judicial scrutiny, judgments on social media are frequently driven by emotion and impulse. Rumors often prevail over truth because of how content is presented—frequently fabricated or exaggerated, with little to no verification. Recently, we witnessed a disturbing incident in which a couple visiting a fair became involved in a dispute over a minor issue. At one point, the husband began physically assaulting his wife in front of hundreds of bystanders. In an attempt to escape public outrage, he resorted to character assassination, falsely claiming that his wife had come to the fair with an extramarital partner.

Ironically, only moments earlier, the same man had shared photographs on Facebook portraying the outing as a joyful husband-and-wife visit. Several bystanders captured images and videos of the assault and posted them online with a misleading caption: “A wife caught engaging in an affair and beaten by her husband.” Instead of seeking to understand the true context or standing beside a woman subjected to public violence, many chose to circulate false information, allowing it to spread unchecked.

Social media increasingly functions as an informal “trial” system, from which not even children are spared. In recent years, trolling and cyberbullying of children on Facebook have become significant problems in Bangladesh. A well-known example is child artist Simrin Lubaba. Portions of her interviews and videos were circulated online in ways that ridiculed her. Age-appropriate linguistic errors, including the mispronunciation of a particular individual’s name, were deliberately turned into tools of mockery by media outlets seeking greater attention.

Even when she posted an appeal urging support for flood-affected communities, many commenters flooded the comment section with vulgar remarks referencing her previously viral statements. As a result of becoming a viral target, Lubaba publicly expressed her pain and distress across multiple platforms. The harassment affected not only her but also her family, subjecting them to social embarrassment. While her family ultimately sought legal remedies, not every child has that option. Many are exposed to the harsh judgment of social media without access to any meaningful protection.

A closer examination reveals an even more troubling reality: social media judges not only children and teenagers but adults as well. Many individuals begin to evaluate themselves harshly, using likes and comments as measures of their self-worth. To conform to constructed beauty standards shaped by netizens, individuals often feel compelled to edit photographs and videos or apply digital filters before sharing them publicly. For adolescents in particular, these unrealistic expectations can foster dissatisfaction with their natural appearance. Over time, such dissatisfaction may develop into an inferiority complex, diminishing their sense of self-worth and contributing to mental stress and emotional distress.

Over the past one or two years, an “expose trend” gained popularity on Facebook. Female victims—often failed by the justice system—came forward with screenshots, messages, and video evidence to reveal individuals responsible for physical or psychological abuse. As rape, eve-teasing, and slut-shaming surged alarmingly after 5 August 2024, and as law enforcement remained ineffective, many victims—unable to obtain assistance from the police or the legal system—turned to social media. They shared their experiences, along with supporting evidence, hoping for justice through public acknowledgment and social accountability.

What followed, however, revealed a disturbing and deeply ironic pattern of behavior among netizens—a grim reminder of how deeply misogyny is embedded in our digital culture. Instead of holding perpetrators accountable, many users engaged in explicit victim-blaming. Women were criticized for their clothing, for going out alone, for working outside the home, and even for stepping outside after evening hours. Violence was rationalized, excuses were fabricated, and the very women who dared to speak out were subjected to public humiliation. Such reactions constitute a clear manifestation of victim-blaming, reinforcing patriarchal norms that normalize gender-based violence.

The humiliation did not remain confined to public comments. Many victims received direct private messages containing verbal abuse, accusations, and threats of rape and death. In this disturbing reversal of justice, perpetrators largely evaded social accountability, while victims endured further humiliation and fear. Consequently, many women withdrew from the “expose trend,” effectively forced into silence. This retreat echoes a painful past, when rape survivors were blamed, socially ostracized, deemed unmarriageable, and sometimes even rejected by their own families under intense societal pressure.

Another troubling dimension of the expose trend is its misuse. Some users have edited personal conversations—selectively cutting and rearranging portions—and then circulated them on social media with narratives tailored to their own agendas. As a result, innocent individuals have been falsely accused, publicly shamed, and socially humiliated. For some, this has led to severe psychological harm, underscoring how dangerous distorted information can be when it spreads online without verification.

Social media is undeniably a powerful tool capable of driving positive change. Yet, as the examples discussed illustrate, this power is double-edged. When used recklessly, social media can transform into an informal court where individuals—particularly children and women—are judged and shamed. Viral trends, trolling, and misinformation can inflict lasting harm on lives and mental well-being. If we value fairness and humanity, it is time for users, platforms, and policymakers to act collectively and responsibly. Only through shared accountability, we can protect individuals from the perceived trial system that has emerged within social media.


Sadia Islam Vontee is a Lecturer, 
School of Law, Independent 
University, Bangladesh (IUB).