In Satkhira’s coastal upazilas, traditional rural games such as ha-du-du, gollachut, kanamachi, spinning tops, and kite flying are rapidly disappearing. Once a hallmark of village afternoons, these activities have been replaced by the lure of smartphones, television, YouTube, Facebook, and online games. The fields that once echoed with children’s laughter now remain silent as most spend their free time on screens.

According to recent research cited in the report, about 85.8% of Bangladeshi children under five experience excessive screen time, harming their physical health, social skills, and mental development. Elderly residents recall how these games once fostered friendship, patience, and teamwork, while parents and teachers now express concern over children’s growing isolation from outdoor play.

Educationists and community members emphasize that unregulated screen dependence poses a new challenge to children’s natural growth. They suggest reviving traditional games through school-based sports festivals, local competitions, and fairground events to reconnect the younger generation with Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.