Kenan Altınsaat told the AA correspondent that students can spend the first semester break in schools productively and beneficially.
Pointing out that the internet has become an important part of life, Altınsaat said that those born into the technological revolution spent their childhood in the digital world.
Altınsaat explained that children who are in touch with screens, socialize on the internet, and have fun with screen games instead of street games learn life in a completely new and different way.
- "The safety and development of children in digital environments should be taken into consideration"
Altınsaat pointed out the importance of parents acting more responsibly on these issues and continued as follows:
"Parents should care about the safety and development of children in digital environments and help them encounter 'useful, educational and correct' content. In order to establish a healthy and correct relationship with all screens and the internet, including television, children should be guided in acquiring correct digital habits, and time limits should be imposed and they should be ensured to be moderate in internet use. Parents should follow their children's internet usage habits during the first semester break of the 2026-2027 academic year. Healthy and conscious internet usage habits should ensure that children are completely away from technology." "Setting realistic and clear rules about technology use ensures that children stay within the principle of 'most benefit and least harm.'"
Pointing out that children will use digital tools more intensively during the holidays, Altınsaat said, "Digital overload can harm children's social, physical, emotional and mental development. Children, who are under the siege of screens, the internet, digital games and social media, can only develop healthy habits in technology use with the principle of 'nutritious, correct, useful technology as much as and when necessary'."
Altınsaat stated that protecting children against malicious people they encounter in the virtual world, dangerous trends disguised as games and harmful content is the most important way to be a good "digital parent".
Emphasizing that children's online habits such as watching videos, instant messaging and playing games on the internet and social networks should be regularly monitored, Altınsaat noted that educational games that support children's mental, cultural and social development should be preferred in online games played on digital platforms.
"Not all information found on the internet is accurate and reliable"
Altınsaat stated that by using digital games for educational purposes, it becomes possible for children to learn while having fun, and said that it is important to stay away from digital games that contain elements of war, death, violence, fighting, sexuality and Islamophobia.
Stating that the method of accessing accurate information on the internet is "accessing information from different sources, developing a critical perspective and comparing information", Altınsaat said, "Not all information encountered on the internet is accurate and reliable." he said.
Altınsaat stated that suspicious links on the internet and social media should not be clicked, shopping should not be done through unreliable channels, personal information should not be shared, and these environments should be used with awareness of privacy and confidentiality.
Stating that children's perception of privacy is weak, Altınsaat said:
"The most important reason why they are easily deceived is that they do not know what information to share on the internet. Children should be told that they should stay away from people they do not know on the internet and social networks. The time children spend in front of the screen should be limited. How much time they will spend in which time periods should be clearly determined and this should be implemented as a rule. In addition to the fact that regular use is very important, parents should be explained and followed that the 'correct and ethical' use of the internet and social media environment by the child is also very important."
Altınsaat stated that technology should be used as a tool, not as a goal or toy.
Pointing out that children lead a more sedentary life due to the influence of the screen, Altınsaat said that physical activities can be increased against the negativities that this situation will cause.
Altınsaat explained that parents can protect both themselves and their children from the harmful content of the internet by using channels such as "http://www.guvenlinet.org.tr" and the "Children Are Safe Mobile Application" prepared by the General Directorate of Information Technologies of the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
Pointing out the harmful content encountered on the internet and social media, Altınsaat added that these can be forwarded to the Information Reporting Center within the Information Technologies and Communication Authority at "https://www.ihbarweb.org.tr".
