CHILDREN and teenagers often engage in various forms of delinquent behaviour due to a combination of personal, social and environmental factors. In recent years, juvenile crime has been gradually increasing in Bangladesh, particularly in urban areas. Children and adolescents in the country are increasingly becoming involved in criminal activities not only petty theft or school-based fights but also serious offences such as gang-related extortion, mugging, drug trafficking, and sexual violence. According to recent data from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, there are approximately 682 active juvenile offenders in the capital alone, often originating from high-crime neighborhoods such as Mohammadpur, Mirpur and Demra.
The underlying causes include poverty, family breakdown, school dropouts, drug addiction, and peer pressure factors that push minors toward gang involvement. Meanwhile, national statistics reveal a concerning number of child victims of sexual violence: over the last decade (2015–2024), 5,632 cases of rape involving minors were reported. These trends indicate that juvenile delinquency in Bangladesh has become a significant social threat.
Legally, Bangladesh seeks to protect minors under the Children Act 2013 (amended in 2018), which mandates special treatment for anyone under 18 who is arrested for a crime. The Penal Code also recognises that individuals aged 12–16 are considered juveniles when accused of offences. The intention is to provide age-appropriate justice: avoiding harsh adult-style punishment, ensuring rehabilitation and counselling and preventing the mixing of juveniles with adult criminals. However, in practice, this objective is often compromised: minors are sometimes tried in regular courts or deprived of proper legal representation and appropriate custodial conditions, undermining the protective aim of the law. As juvenile gangs increasingly commit serious crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and violent assaults, experts urge stronger enforcement of the juvenile justice framework, improved record-keeping, access to legal aid and the provision of rehabilitation services.
Given these statistics and legal gaps, the role of schools, families and communities becomes even more critical. Preventive measures, emotional support and early interventions can reduce the likelihood of minors engaging in criminal behaviour. Without systemic reforms and increased social awareness, the rising trend of juvenile crime could worsen, threatening social stability and the future of many children across Bangladesh.
Worldwide research shows that family conflict, poverty, peer pressure, online influence, school failure and the community environment are major contributors to juvenile crime. Similar patterns are observed in Bangladesh. Newspaper reports indicate a rise in gang culture, drug dealing, sexual harassment, mobile snatching, and school-based violence among school-going children. This study aims to identify the major triggers of juvenile crime, analyse the influence of schools, highlight incidents from Bangladesh, and provide recommendations for prevention.
Family-related factors are a significant trigger for juvenile crime. Children from broken or abusive families often become psychologically vulnerable, increasing their likelihood of engaging in criminal behaviour. Lack of parental supervision when parents are busy or abroad also contributes to unmonitored and risky behaviour. Peer pressure is another strong factor, as adolescents are often influenced by friends to experiment with drugs, smoking, or minor thefts in order to fit in.
Online influence is rapidly increasing; violent games, TikTok challenges, online gangs and other aggressive content encourage imitation and trigger aggressive behavior. In Chattogram (2021), a stabbing incident occurred due to a TikTok gang rivalry. Poverty and crime-prone community environments also play a significant role, as minors living in slum areas or neighbourhoods with heavy drug activity are more easily drawn into criminal behaviour. Academic pressure and school failure are common contributing factors; school dropouts or underperforming students may develop frustration that leads to risky behaviour. Most schools lack counselling facilities, depriving students of healthy emotional outlets. Additionally, punishment-focused school environments, harsh teachers, and unmonitored peer groups encourage ‘grouping’ behaviour on school grounds, which can escalate into gang formation, fights, and weapon use.
Incidents in Bangladesh illustrate that juvenile crime is multidimensional. Examples include the 2021 stabbing in Chattogram due to TikTok gang rivalry, the 2022 school snatching gang in Mohammadpur, the 2023 student group attack in Mirpur, and the 2024 involvement of girls in a cyber harassment ring in Gulshan all of which demonstrate school-related or peer-influence triggers. These findings indicate that family crisis, school environment, peer influence and media exposure collectively shape juvenile crime.
Although juvenile crime is increasing in Bangladesh, it can be controlled through proper intervention. A combined effort from schools, families and communities is essential. Schools should employ professional counsellors to monitor students’ mental health, enforce anti-bullying policies and provide teachers with training on positive discipline. Organising extracurricular activities, sports and creative programs can reduce idle time and mitigate the negative effects of peer pressure.
At the family level, parenting education is crucial. Parents should be encouraged to maintain emotional communication with their children, monitor online activities, and avoid abusive behaviour. Community-level initiatives such as youth clubs, sports programs and safe neighbourhood projects can also help prevent juvenile crime. Collaboration between police and schools, along with early warning systems, can facilitate the identification of high-risk minors.
At the governmental level, strict implementation of the Children Act 2013, reforms in juvenile courts and deployment of social workers in schools and communities are essential. Juvenile offenders must have access to legal aid, age-appropriate rehabilitation and separate juvenile courts. Awareness campaigns regarding child rights, relevant laws and penalties for adult exploitation of minors should be conducted to protect children and ensure effective enforcement of the law. A combined approach of these measures can prevent children and adolescents from entering a life of crime and safeguard the future generation.
Onkita Erana is a researcher, writer and apprentice lawyer at the Dhaka judges court.
