Digital childhood at a crossroads: Experts demand global action in Istanbul

The digital landscape is transforming childhood on a global and unprecedented scale, experts declared at the TRT International Children’s Media Summit 2025 in Istanbul. Held this past Saturday, the summit brought together policymakers, academics, and media leaders who argued that while technology offers vast opportunities for learning, it also introduces serious risks requiring a unified response.

A historic shift requiring shared responsibility

Douglas K. Hartman, an education professor, framed this era as a historic turning point. "We're facing a transformation on a different scale than ever before in human history," he told Anadolu, highlighting the speed of online connectivity. He stressed that childhood is now co-shaped by digital platforms, schools, and governments, necessitating "wide policy coordination and shared responsibility." The goal, he said, must be to design digital ecosystems that prioritize children's long-term well-being over short-term gains, urging support for multiple ethical development models.

Balancing protection with empowerment for digital natives

Academic and media researcher Chi Kim Cheung emphasized the dual need to protect and empower young users. "Protecting children is very important, but we also have to think about empowering them," he stated. He pointed out that while AI and the internet offer limitless learning potential, they also expose children to harm. Cheung called for informed government regulation and significant investment in media literacy education for parents and teachers. "Children are digital natives, while many parents need to know what is going on to help," he noted, advocating for international collaboration to tackle cross-border issues like misinformation.

Preserving values and including children's voices

Jennifer Kaberi, founder of Mtoto News, warned that technology is evolving faster than families can adapt, eroding traditional bonds and potentially leading children to trust technology more than human relationships. She highlighted the importance of the Istanbul summit for amplifying perspectives beyond dominant tech regions and integrating cultural and religious values into the digital policy conversation. Kaberi also issued a crucial call for direct inclusion, stating, "We can’t build a digital world without children." Instead of top-down bans, she advocated for dialogue, workshops, and co-design processes led by the youth themselves.