Turkey Writers' Union publishes report on digital media 'virtual siege

The Turkey Writers' Union (TYB) Istanbul Branch, together with the Maarif Platform, Tekden Film and the International Cinema Association, released a report titled “Sanal Kuşatma ve Medya Krizi: Dijital Tehditler, Ekranın Kurtuluşu ve Çözüm Yolları”. The report was presented at the historic Kızlarağa Medresesi and examines the multifaceted influence of digital media on society, including family structures, children’s play and violence patterns, cultural production, and algorithmic shaping of young minds.

Maarif Platform President Osman Çakmak stressed that the issue goes beyond screen time, saying the core concern is “mind‑building”. TYB Istanbul Branch President Mahmut Bıyıklı added that the whole world is under a digital siege and that solutions lie in creating strong, locally rooted stories and content rather than imposing bans. Both speakers called for a cultural response that leverages native narratives, film, animation and games to counter external digital influences.