Dhaka, Dec. 5 -- Across the developing world, migration has long been a pathway to economic mobility, a strategy for families seeking stability or upward movement. But in recent years, a new force has reshaped how young people think about leaving home. Social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are transforming the meaning of migration, turning it from a rational economic decision into an aspirational identity. In Bangladesh, the phenomenon is especially intense, as digital technology penetrates rural areas, youth cultures evolve, and global mobility becomes part of everyday fantasy. Migration is no longer simply a journey; it is a dream crafted, circulated and magnified through screens.

This shift has profound social im...