ISTANBUL

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.

Erdogan 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.”

Erdogan 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 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.”

The one-day summit focuses on promoting safe, high-quality children’s content, preserving cultural values and contributing to international policy discussions on children’s rights in digital media, according to TRT.