Psychological Impact of Internet Blackouts: A Case Study With Machine Learning-Based Stress Analysis

Access to the internet has become a vital part of modern life, especially for communication and essential services. However, during politically sensitive times, internet blackouts can disrupt daily routines, leading to significant psychological impacts. This study explores the mental health effects of the internet shutdown imposed during the Bangladesh Quota Movement in July 2024, when the government cut off access to control information flow. The blackout hindered communication, financial transactions, and critical services, amplifying stress, feelings of isolation, and emotional distress. A survey of 2,085 participants was conducted to assess the behavioral, emotional, and psychological consequences, particularly in academic, work, and social settings. Stress levels among respondents varied from minimal to extreme, reflecting widespread mental distress. To classify these stress levels, machine learning models; Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Bernoulli Naive Bayes (BNB), Logistic Regression (LR), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were applied. The SVM model outperformed others, achieving high precision (99.33%), recall (99.00%), F1-score (99.33%), and accuracy (99.49%). This study underscores the urgent need for mental health support during such crises, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh, where mental health care is often neglected. These findings are aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3), “Good Health and Well-Being,” stressing the importance of mental health interventions in fostering resilience, well-being, and social stability during crises.