A writ petition was filed with the High Court today seeking its directive on the government to immediately stop all kinds of online games and apps like TikTok, Likee, Bigo Live, PUBG and FreeFire from social media to save children and adolescents from social degradation.

Two Supreme Court lawyers—Mohammad Humayun Kabir Pallob and Mohammed Kawsar--submitted the petition as a public interest litigation on behalf of rights organisation Law and Life Foundation.

In the petition, they requested the HC to order the authorities concerned of the government to identify the persons involved in transaction of crores of taka and money laundering behind such apps and games.

At the same time, the petitioners urged the HC to form a committee with technologists, educationists and lawyers to recommend to Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for stopping games and apps that are harmful for the young generation.

The petitioners said the youth have become addicted to online games and apps like TikTok, Likee, Bigo Live, PUBG and FreeFire, and therefore, social values, education and culture are being damaged.

Using such online games and apps, the youth are being involved in social violence and unethical activities and that is why, such games and apps need to be stopped on an urgent basis, the petitioners said in the petition.

Humayun Kabir Pallob, one of the writ petitioners, told The Daily Star that the HC may hold hearing on the petition next week.