Assessing the Psychological Impact of Internet Blackouts: A Stress Analysis Case Study

ABSTRACT: Access to the internet is crucial for communication, information, and essential services in modern life. Internet blackouts during politically sensitive periods can severely affect mental health, increasing stress, anxiety, and emotional distress. This study examines the psychological impact of the internet shutdown during the Bangladesh Quota Movement in July 2024. A survey of 2,085 participants captured behavioral, emotional, and psychological responses in academic, work, and social contexts. Textual responses were processed using NLP techniques to extract relevant features reflecting stress levels. An MLP (Multi-Layer Perceptron) classifier was applied to predict stress intensity across participants. The model demonstrated high performance in classifying stress, achieving significant accuracy and reliability. Findings highlight the widespread mental distress caused by internet disruptions. The study emphasizes the importance of timely mental health interventions during crises. These insights align with SDG 3, promoting mental well-being and social resilience in low- and middle-income countries.