Attitudes, Behaviors, Social Norms and Social Media: A Study on Generation Z in Bangladesh

This study investigates the attitudes, behaviors, and social norms that shape and are shaped by Generation Z’s (Gen Z) engagement with social media in Bangladesh. As mobile-first digital natives, Bangladeshi Gen Z navigates a complex terrain of online self-expression, algorithmic influence, peer interaction, cultural conservatism, and institutional regulation. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative survey data from 1,200 respondents across urban, peri-urban, and rural regions with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the research uncovers how Gen Z perceives social media platforms, how their usage practices reflect broader societal norms, and how digital culture influences identity formation and communication. Findings reveal that Gen Z users in Bangladesh demonstrate high social media engagement for entertainment, education, and activism, yet face significant challenges such as online harassment, moral policing, surveillance, and algorithmic manipulation. Gender, class, geography, and digital literacy emerge as key determinants in shaping both access to and experience of social media. The study further explores how social norms—both traditional and digitally evolving—mediate youth behavior, producing hybrid identities that are simultaneously global and locally situated. By contextualizing digital youth culture in Bangladesh, the article contributes to the broader discourse on digital media, youth agency, and cultural transformation in the Global South. The paper concludes with implications for digital education, media policy, and youth-focused mental health strategies, and offers pathways for future research in digital communication and youth studies.