'Digital conscience' chosen as Türkiye's word of the year for 2025

Defining a modern moral dilemma

In its statement Monday, the TDK explained that the concept reflects how conscience—traditionally an inner moral guide—has transformed in the digital era. It warned that people often "ease their conscience" through social media engagement on issues they avoid addressing in reality, which "reduces conscience to a 'clickable action'."

Critique of symbolic activism

The association argued that this digital form of conscience allows internet users to feel they have fulfilled a "humanitarian duty" through symbolic gestures, thereby limiting genuine compassion and preventing the development of concrete solutions. It stated this passivity can allow problems to "expand and deepen" rather than be resolved.

Selection process and international context

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy noted on social media platform X that the word was chosen through public participation, with approximately 300,000 votes cast. He described it as a "powerful concept that mirrors our individual and societal sensitivities." The announcement coincides with other dictionaries selecting words like "parasocial," "vibe coding," and "rage bait" for 2025.