21 Mayıs 2026 Perşembe
The "Children and Family in the Digital World" program, organized in collaboration between the Bolu Branch of the Turkish Writers' Union and the Bolu Provincial Mufti's Office, comprehensively evaluated the effects of digitalization on family structure, child development, and social life. Held as part of Family Week, the program attracted significant participation from academics, educators, students, and citizens.
In his opening speech, Hüseyin Demirtaş highlighted the serious risks that accompany the opportunities offered by the digital age, emphasizing the critical role of the family in this process. He stated that the family is not only an environment of love and solidarity, but also a strong structure that protects children from the negative effects of the digital world.
Demirtaş argued that a completely rejection of technology is unrealistic, offering the following assessment:
"The digital world is not something to be rejected. However, parents and educators must correctly understand both its opportunities and risks."
Noting that children are exposed to digital content at an early age, Demirtaş emphasized the importance of strengthening family communication, conscious media use, and a values-based approach to digital education.
One of the program's speakers, Prof. Dr. Ercan Aktan, addressed the societal impacts of digital transformation from a communication perspective. Stating that internet technologies are transforming not only communication methods but also thinking habits, family relationships, and the understanding of privacy, Aktan touched upon the historical effects of technological developments and made noteworthy assessments.
Aktan said the following in his speech:
“Printing transformed Europe, the internet transformed the world. Today, what we see is in the hands of algorithms. In Turkey, daily internet usage is 7 hours and 24 minutes, and social media usage is 2 hours and 49 minutes. This situation necessitates a new awareness for family communication and privacy.”
Stating that the concept of privacy needs to be rethought in the digital age, Aktan emphasized that the family institution is the cornerstone of society and made the following assessment:
“The family is the small nucleus of the nation. If its roof shakes, the nation shakes. Privacy is a shield. The dinner table should be open to conversation, not cameras. Images of children are not content. Conversations with parents should be strengthened before screens.”
Throughout the program, participants actively contributed to the discussion by asking questions on topics such as social media addiction, children's screen time, digital privacy, the impact of algorithms on individuals, and family communication. The event particularly highlighted the importance of a conscious parenting approach to protecting children in the digital environment.
The Faculty of Communication at BAİBÜ, which made a significant contribution to the academic dimension of the event, continues to raise awareness at regional and national levels through its studies on communication technologies, media literacy, and digital society. The faculty contributes to the meeting of academia and society through events that address the societal impacts of digitalization not only from a theoretical perspective but also within the context of family, culture, and social life.
In the evaluations conducted at the end of the program, it was emphasized that a conscious, controlled, and value-centered digital usage culture is possible without completely rejecting technology. Participants unanimously agreed that strengthening family communication and supporting children with proper guidance in the digital world are of great importance for a healthy future society.
