Safer Internet Day was organized under the auspices of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) with the theme “A Safer Internet Together.” The event, attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan and BTK President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, was joined by numerous students and guests.
In his opening speech at the event, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan stated that Safer Internet Day is no longer just an awareness day, emphasizing that the digital world has become central to life and that this reality needs to be reconsidered together.
Sayan said, “The internet is no longer just a technology; it has become a space that connects us to each other, fits the world in our pockets, and fundamentally transforms our lifestyles. Especially for young people, the internet is a world where identity is built, learning takes place, production happens, and self-expression is possible.”
Deputy Minister Sayan: As Screen Time Increases, Time Spent in Real Life Decreases
Drawing attention to the fact that the innovations offered by technology contain not only opportunities but also serious risks, Sayan pointed out that the time children and young people spend in digital environments is increasing every day.
Sayan stated, “Today, our children study, play games, socialize, and do almost everything in the digital environment. With artificial intelligence, this situation has taken on a whole new dimension. In our childhood, there were streets; today, screens have taken their place. As the time spent in front of screens increases, the time spent in real life decreases.”
Noting that research clearly reveals this situation, Sayan mentioned that face-to-face communication, reading habits, and sleep duration are decreasing, and that the digital world making time feel limitless is one of the biggest traps.
Addressing young people in his speech, Sayan said that a conscious internet user is someone who thinks before sharing, does not believe everything they see, controls their time, protects their personal data, and does not lose respect in online environments, adding, “We should use the internet not for consumption, but for learning and producing.”
Deputy Minister Sayan Warns About Digital Games and Artificial Intelligence
Touching upon digital games in his speech, Sayan expressed that games can be educational and developmental when used correctly, but some games carry serious risks such as violence, gambling, obscenity, discrimination, and addiction.
Stating that in-game purchases and manipulative advertisements pose a significant danger especially for young people, Sayan warned, “Click but thoughtfully, share but confidently, follow but without getting stuck.”
Emphasizing that artificial intelligence is one of the greatest technological leaps in human history, Sayan said: “Artificial intelligence should not replace humans but elevate them. Our young people’s decisions should be guided by our values, not algorithms.”
Deputy Minister Sayan: We Must Raise Generations That Shape the Future of Technology
Sayan stated that their goal is to raise individuals who do not passively use technology but imbue it with morals and direction, expressing that concepts of conscience and responsibility have become more important than ever in the digital world.
Saying, “No technology can replace human conscience and mercy,” Sayan drew attention to the importance of building a consciousness that has a counterpart in real life, rather than just being visible in the digital world.
Concluding his speech, Sayan emphasized the need to make smart and safe choices alongside smart technologies, wished for Safer Internet Day to raise awareness across society, and ended his remarks.
President Karagözoğlu: Artificial Intelligence Produces Value When Used Correctly
In his speech at the event, BTK President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu stated that the internet and digital technologies are creating profound transformations in every area of life, emphasizing that this transformation brings new responsibilities.
Touching upon BTK’s efforts in the safe internet field, Karagözoğlu expressed that this process has been steadily pursued since 2010.
Stating that digital transformation has gained a new dimension with AI-supported systems today, Karagözoğlu noted that generative AI applications reorganize information and often make its source invisible.
Karagözoğlu said, “Artificial intelligence speaks human language and generates responses. This blurs the line between content produced by humans and content produced by machines. Especially for our children and youth, distinguishing the accuracy and source of information is becoming more difficult than ever.”
Emphasizing the importance of critical thinking skills, Karagözoğlu stressed that questioning every piece of information seen and read is a vital necessity for young people.
Noting that artificial intelligence has the potential to make learning processes more engaging, Karagözoğlu stated that this potential gains meaning only with a conscious and responsible usage approach. Karagözoğlu said: “Unconscious use can bring many risks such as production of incorrect and misleading information, personal data security, algorithmic biases, exposure to harmful content, and addiction. Therefore, shaping the AI ecosystem with an approach focused on trust, ethics, and humanity is our common responsibility.”
President Karagözoğlu: Digital Sovereignty Lies in Producing Our Own Technology
Also touching upon the domestic and national social media application Next Social, launched last year, Karagözoğlu emphasized that this step is important for strengthening sovereignty in the digital field.
Karagözoğlu said, “The strongest stance against digital domination, manipulation, and disinformation is to develop our own technology. Every digital solution produced with domestic and national resources is the guarantee of our digital sovereignty and a strong future.”
Providing information about BTK’s important project, the Safe Internet Service, Karagözoğlu said, “The Safe Internet Service has become a large digital family with over 55 million users today. Our service is completely free and has been provided automatically since 2023.” Karagözoğlu also expressed that it is of great importance for families to benefit from this service.
Touching upon education and awareness activities conducted through the Safe Internet Center, Karagözoğlu concluded his speech by saying, “Since its establishment, we have reached a total of 300,000 people from students to teachers, parents to public personnel. In 2025 alone, we reached approximately 22,000 people through organized trainings and seminars.”
In the program held as part of Safer Internet Day, BTK Vice President Dr. Abdulkerim Gün said, “Our youth now consult digital assistants for their problems, settling for answers provided by algorithms instead of sharing their emotions with their families. Within crowded digital networks, a silent but profound digital loneliness is growing.”
Stating that all stakeholders have important responsibilities in this process, BTK Vice President Gün drew attention to the role of parents in particular. Gün said, “As parents, we must step out of our comfort zones, accompany our children in the digital world, and set an example for them. The most effective way to teach digital awareness to our children is to establish digital balance in our own lives first.”