The authors explore the differences in these implications, between adolescent boys and girls, between adolescents of well-off and poorer families, and between adolescents living in Dhaka city and those in Cumilla, a more rural district. The sample consists of 64 male and female school-going adolescents of Class Eight, who are mostly 14-year-olds. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with adolescents from four types of schools attended by adolescents from the above-mentioned demographic. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were also conducted with three adolescent boys and three adolescent girls selected from each focus group. Our respondents also included teachers and parents of students of Class 8. The study found that access to mobile phones is more equitable across class, location, and gender, but the quality of access varies. Notably, there are gender differences when it comes to the use of mobile phones; girls from middle and poorer socio-economic groups and rural areas are heavily restricted by parents in their use of phones. We also found that access to mobile phones and the internet, and consequently, information, has a strong impact on adolescent voice and agency, giving them a voice they did not have before, e.g., a greater role in household decision-making because of their access to information. Adolescent voice and agency, as a safe environment for mobile and internet use, are influenced by the role of parents, schools, and government policies.
Authors: Huq, Lopita; Khondaker, Sahida; Mahpara, Pragyna; Sultan, Maheen; Khondoker, Zarine Anan; Syed, Samia
Type: Report
Year: 2021