Turkey's Digital Anafor Summit in Istanbul Focuses on Screen Addiction and Media Ethics

The Family and Social Services Ministry, together with the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and the Istanbul Family Foundation, organised a two‑day "Digital Anafor: Screen Independence" summit in Şişli, Istanbul. The opening was led by Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, who said the aim is to raise a generation that can discern truth and protect privacy.

The summit addressed a wide range of issues, including screen addiction, data privacy, algorithmic transparency and the role of digital platforms in shaping public discourse. Topics discussed under the final report included "Gaza and Media", "Digital Age Ethics", "Digital Footprint and AI", "Pornography Culture", and "Hyper‑sexualisation and Media Effects". Participants highlighted the need for family‑centred digital policies, stronger legal mechanisms for data protection, and the development of a "Media Discourse Guide" for child‑friendly broadcasting.

A notable session featured Mehmet Görmez, rector of Turkey International Islamic University of Science and Technology, who warned that digitalisation threatens human perception, describing it as a potential "cognitive death" caused by excessive screen time. The summit concluded with the reading of a result statement urging increased awareness, support mechanisms for families, and stricter regulation of content aimed at children and youth.