Turkish Parliament commission cites 683k child crimes and digital threats

A Turkish parliamentary research commission on school attacks and digital risks, chaired by AK Party MP Yusuf Beyazıt, presented alarming statistics. Public auditor Fatma Benli Yalçın reported that 683,823 children were involved in crimes over a single year, with a recidivism rate of about 80% within two to three years after release. Forty‑two percent of offending youths said they were motivated by witnessing violent behavior, and 84% of incarcerated children expressed a desire to abandon the “quick‑rich” mindset.

The commission emphasized that child safety must extend beyond schoolyards to digital environments, calling for stronger policies to protect minors from harmful online content. Presentations were made by officials from the Public Auditing Agency, the Turkish Human Rights and Equality Institution, and the Personal Data Protection Authority. The body plans to finalize its report and draft legislation to more effectively prevent violence against women and children and to address digital risks.

The findings aim to guide future measures to create a safer, more supportive environment for children in schools, homes, streets, and online platforms.