President Erdogan warns of increasing digital risks at school year opening

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the opening ceremony of the new school year in Istanbul, which coincided with the Educational Technologies R&D and Quality Summit.

During his speech, Erdogan underscored the importance of the “Turkish Century” vision, describing it as “not just a horizon but a strong commitment to the future of every citizen of this noble nation.”

Erdogan warns of rising risks in digital world

Erdogan expressed concerns about the influence of online platforms, warning of their potential negative impact on family structures and societal values. “In addition to promoting violence, gaming platforms serve as a medium for promoting perverse movements that erode our family structure,” he said.

He further criticized certain online activities as harmful to national security, stating, “The virtual world is the hub of the racism trap, aiming to weaken Türkiye economically, socially, and in terms of security.”

Erdogan concluded by criticizing some domestic actors for defending the interests of international companies rather than the rights of Turkish children. “Some circles in our country are acting as advocates for the interests of international companies instead of defending the rights and legal protections of our children,” he remarked.

Digital world as hub for racism

Erdogan expressed concerns about the growing risks children face in the digital world, focusing on the harmful effects of gaming platforms and the promotion of dangerous ideologies. He stated that the internet has become a central point for promoting racism, as well as other harmful movements.

“The hub of the racism trap is the virtual world,” Erdogan said, emphasizing the chaotic nature of the digital sphere and its potential threats.

He also defended recent government measures against certain platforms. “Last month, we were accused of being authoritarian for taking action against a platform. But we will not accept the legitimization of hate crimes or exploitation,” he added.

The president stressed the importance of safeguarding children from the negative impact of technology. “We are witnessing how gaming platforms are poisoning our children, not only encouraging harmful movements but also fueling racism,” he said.

Erdogan pointed out the various psychological and social problems caused by excessive screen time, including alienation from family, disrupted education and emotional distress. “We have children who are unhappy, suffering from anger issues, and unable to communicate with their parents or siblings because of computer games,” he noted.

The president called for unity in protecting children from the dangers of technology. “We must act as one heart, one fist, for our children. If we allow technology to enslave our children, we are not doing them any favors,” Erdoğan emphasized.

Teacher growth and education access in Türkiye

President Erdogan highlighted significant progress in education, noting a sharp increase in the number of teachers since 2002. “The number of teachers, which was 540,000 in 2002, has risen to 1.2 million,” Erdogan stated.

He also emphasized the government’s efforts in providing education to students with special needs. “We are ensuring access to education for 1.2 million students with special education needs, whether in their homes, hospitals, or schools,” he said.

Technological advancements in Turkish schools

Speaking about the integration of technology in education, the president pointed out that 12,350 schools have been equipped with high-speed and secure fiber internet. “We are among the top countries in the OECD when it comes to providing technological infrastructure in education,” he added.

Türkiye’s focus on vocational, technical training

President Erdogan also touched on the importance of vocational and technical education, announcing a new initiative. “We are launching a new phase in vocational and technical education to meet the need for a skilled workforce in our country,” he stated.