Turkey

In brief

Please click here for Turkish language website

Turkey was not involved in EU Kids Online 2020. Main results on this page draw on the 2010 survey, with more recent publications under “Publications.”

According to 2010 EU Kids Online findings, Turkey is classified as one of the "lower use, some risk" countries around Europe. While most children have the ability to use the internet, few of them reported excessive use of the internet and perceived risks, perhaps reflecting the fact that Turkey has the lowest percentage of internet usage. Parents also use the internet less than the European average and most parents underestimate their children’s online activities and experience of risks. On the other hand, in 2015 data collection based on EU Kids Online survey in the scope of a dissertation showed that the age of the first meeting with Internet decreased to 2, Internet use  rates increased from 31.9% to 84.6%. The Internet skills of children have increased from 2.64 to 4.77 while the total risk types increased from 2.18 to 3.83 in 5 years (although some types of risks were excluded from survey because of MoNE's restrictions). Shortly, like the other apart of the World, Internet becomes an indispensable part of Turkish children’s life and consequently risk levels increase despite their skills increase.

EU Kids Online - Turkey EU Kids Online - Turkey

Highlights

  • Three doctoral dissertations and two master theses were completed by building their methodologies on EU Kids Online theoretical framework and research toolkits.
  • The Turkish team published three journal papers and several national and international conference papers regarding the EU Kids Online findings for Turkey.
  • EU Kids Online Turkish team collaborates with Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority.
  • Several seminars have been organized related to internet addiction and internet safety around Turkey and Northern Cyprus.

Reports and publications

Factsheet

Summary of findings

Recommendations

Safety guide

Publications

Cagiltay, K., Ogan, C., Kasikci, D. N., Karakus, T. & Kursun, E. (2010). Press Release of EU Kids Online Turkey's Findings. Presented at General Directorate of Family and Social, October 21. Turkey.

Cagiltay, K. (2010). EU Kids Online Turkey's Findings. Presentation to the 27th National Turkish Informatics Association Meeting. Turkey.

Kasikci, D.N., Cagiltay, K., Ogan, C., Karakus, T. & Kursun, E. (2010). Presentation at INET-TR "10th Internet in Turkey Conference" December 2-4, İstanbul, Turkey.

Cagiltay, K. (2011). Presentation at the Safer Internet Day 2011, Ankara, Turkey.

Kasikci, D.N., Kursun, E. & Cagiltay, K. (2011).Process of the EU Kids Online Research Project. Presentation at "Workshop of Accelerating Social Transformation Entegrated Program". State Planning Organization, Ankara, 26 May, Turkey.

Cagiltay, K. (2011). Press Release of Last Report of EU Kids Online II. Retrieved 20 October, 2011, from http://www.aksam.com.tr/iste-turkiyenin-internet-karnesi--73937h.html

Cagiltay, K., Karakus, T. & Kursun, E. (2011). UNICEF 12. Children's Forum, Information and Communication Technologies of Turkey and Children and Youth Conference. November 20-23, Ankara, Turkey.

Cagiltay, K., Kasikci, D.N., Karakus, T., & Kursun, E. (2011). Presentation at INET-TR "11th Internet in Turkey Conference", November 30-December 2, İzmir, Turkey.

ÇEVRİMİÇİÇOCUKLAR (EU KIDS ONLINE) PROJESİve SONUÇLARAVRUPA

Questionnaires

The EU Kids Online fieldwork involved several questionnaires. First, a face to face interview with one parent. Second, a face to face interview with the child. Then a self-completion interview for sensitive questions, with one version for 9-10 year olds and one version for 11-16 year olds.

Turkish

Questionnaire for parent

Questionnaire for child

Self-completion questionnaire for child (Children age 9-10)

Self-completion questionnaire for child (Children age 11-16)

Kurdish

Questionnaire for parent

Questionnaire for child

Self-completion questionnaire for child (Children age 9-10)

Self-completion questionnaire for child (Children age 11-16)

Team

Engin Kurşun

Prof. Dr. Engin Kurşun (Coordinator) is a faculty member at Atatürk University, where his academic expertise lies at the intersection of open and distance learning, human–computer interaction (HCI), and new media learning environments.  As the National Coordinator of EU Kids Online Türkiye, Prof. Dr. Kurşun combines his extensive research on digital learning ecosystems with a commitment to fostering a safer and more empowering internet for children. His work explores the pedagogical and technical dimensions of online risks, with the aim of developing evidence-based strategies to enhance digital literacy, promote safer online practices, and support digital parenting in the Turkish context.

Kürşat Çağıltay

Prof. Dr. Kürşat Çağıltay completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics at Middle East Technical University (METU) and his master's degree in Computer Engineering at METU. He subsequently earned a dual PhD in Cognitive Science and Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University, USA. Prof. Dr. Çağıltay's research focuses on human–computer interaction, instructional technologies, the social and cognitive dimensions of digital games, the sociocultural aspects of technology, distance education, and human performance technologies.

Türkan Karakuş Yılm

Prof. Dr. Türkan Karakuş Yılmaz is a faculty member at Atatürk University, specialising in educational technologies, digital literacy, and children's online experiences. As a member of the EU Kids Online Türkiye team, her research examines how children and young people engage with digital media, with particular attention to online risks, opportunities, and digital wellbeing. Her work aims to inform evidence-based policy and educational practice that promote safe, inclusive, and empowering digital environments for children and families in Türkiye.

Ayşe Gül Kara Aydemir

Dr Ayşe Gül Kara Aydemir received her undergraduate and doctoral degrees in Computer Education and Instructional Technology from Anadolu University and Middle East Technical University (METU), respectively. Her research focuses on how digital technologies transform teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on designing meaningful learning experiences. She has extensive expertise in instructional design, digital transformation, and teacher professional development. Since 2020, she has been actively involved in the Digital Teachers Project, contributing as an educator, instructional designer, and coordinator, and supporting thousands of teachers in developing their digital and AI literacy skills. Dr Kara Aydemir is currently a faculty member at TED University, where she teaches courses in educational technology. Her work combines a critical perspective on emerging technologies with practical applications that seek to improve learning outcomes and promote the responsible use of AI in education.

Alper Arslan

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alper Aslan is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, at Munzur University. His academic work focuses on educational technologies, artificial intelligence in education, learning analytics, and digital media studies. His research examines children's internet use, digital risks, and parental mediation, while also applying large-scale data analysis and topic modelling techniques to investigate the thematic evolution of research on educational technologies and generative AI.

Yiğit Emrah Turgut

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yiğit Emrah Turgut is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Faculty of Education, at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University. His academic work lies at the intersection of educational technologies, open and distance learning, digital media research, and artificial intelligence in education. His research focuses on children's and young people's use of digital media, online risks, parental mediation, and open and distance learning. He conducts research on technology integration in education, digital transformation, and digital literacy, and applies topic modelling techniques to examine thematic trends in educational technology research.

Önder Yıldırım

Assist. Prof. Dr. Önder Yıldırım is a faculty member in the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Atatürk University. His work specialises in the intersection of engineering and educational sciences. With an interdisciplinary academic background that includes degrees in Computer Education and Electrical and Electronics Engineering, he is currently furthering his expertise by pursuing a master's degree in Artificial Intelligence at Erzurum Technical University. His research focuses on machine learning, pattern recognition, and educational technologies, with a particular emphasis on developing intelligent, data-driven learning environments and integrating AI into pedagogical frameworks to enhance digital competencies.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Engin Kurşun

Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology

Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education

25240 Atatürk University

Erzurum/Türkiye

Email: ekursun@atauni.edu.tr

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5649-8595

Website EU Kids Online Türkiye: https://eukidsturkiye.org/