UPDATE - TRT International Children’s Media summit spotlights digital risks for children

UPDATES WITH FURTHER DETAILS

By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - The TRT International Children’s Media Summit opened on Saturday in Istanbul, bringing together policymakers, media leaders, and experts to address the risks and responsibilities surrounding children’s media use in an increasingly digital world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan warned that adults bear primary responsibility for the digital environments children inhabit.

“We built this digital world. We laid its foundations. Therefore, we cannot stand by and watch new generations get lost in it,” she said.

The first lady emphasized concerns over privacy, excessive screen time, and parents’ role in shaping online habits, noting that “as long as adults’ heads are bent toward screens, children will not choose a different path.”

She also announced her signature on the Digital Child Rights Convention, calling on other stakeholders to follow suit.

“We cannot leave our children alone in the unsafe streets of the digital world,” she said, adding that regulations under preparation include new social media rules for children aged under 15.

- 'Sensitive balance is essential'

Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also highlighted the growing influence of digital platforms on children’s learning and socialization, stressing the need for balance rather than isolation.

“We do not want to keep children away from screens entirely, but a sensitive balance is essential,” he said.

Duran pointed to national action plans on children’s digital rights and warned that algorithm-driven content can harm children’s psychological and moral development if left unchecked.

TRT Director General Mehmet Zahid Sobaci said the summit reflects Türkiye’s commitment to safeguarding children through public broadcasting.

“We believe that protecting children is not only a national duty but a universal responsibility,” Sobaci said, adding that TRT aims to build “a cleaner, safer, and more humane media future for all children.”

- Need for global collaboration

Organized by Türkiye’s public broadcaster TRT, the one-day summit aimed to develop solutions to the risks children face online, promote shared responsibility among families, media and society, and encourage the production of safe and high-quality content.

Discussions also focused on preserving cultural values and contributing to international policy development in children’s media.

The event kicked off with an opening ceremony and inaugural speeches, followed by three thematic sessions.

The first session, titled Challenges and Opportunities in Children’s Media: The Shared Responsibility of Family and Society, addressed the roles of parents, educators, and media institutions in shaping children’s media experiences.

It featured speakers Levente Nyakas, Warren Buckleitner, Isabelle Filliozat, and Ozgur Bolat, who examined the roles of families, educators, and media institutions in shaping children’s media consumption.

The second session, Hidden Codes, Open Risks: Identity and Value Formation in Children’s Content, explored how media messages influence children’s identity, values, and perceptions.

It brought together Michael Milo, Sinan Ismail, Taghreed Najjar, and Nilufer Pembecioglu as the speakers, who highlighted both the opportunities and potential risks embedded in digital and audiovisual content.

The final session, Roadmap for Future Generations: Policies, Collaboration and Solutions, focused on policy frameworks, international cooperation, and practical strategies to create a safer media environment for children worldwide.

It included Douglas K. Hartman, Chi-Kim Cheung, Jennifer Kaberi, and Hatice Ferhan Odabasi as the speakers.

The summit concluded with a closing ceremony in the evening, underscoring the need for continued global collaboration to address the evolving challenges of children’s media use in the digital age.