Turkish experts warn of increasing risks on platforms such as Discord

Following the recent blocking of access to Roblox due to child exploitation content and the decision to restrict access to the messaging platform Discord due to ‘child sexual abuse and obscenity’, attention has turned to the measures families can take to protect their children. protect.

Recently, Türkiye blocked access to Discord after it served as a platform for criminal elements engaging in illegal activities. The platform came under scrutiny following the murder of two young women, according to information shared by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK).

Prosecutors in Ankara also acted on sufficient suspicion that crimes of “child sexual abuse and obscenity” had been committed on the platform. In response to a prosecutor’s request, Ankara’s First Criminal Judiciary decided to block access to Discord, given the evidence presented.

The filing noted that an investigation was launched on October 5 into claims that social media posts on Discord were being used for bullying, particularly targeting minors.

Some members reportedly took photos and videos of children’s private parts and posted them in groups, while others blackmailed young children into taking nude photos of themselves and shared these images on the platform. The investigation uncovered a significant amount of content related to child sexual abuse, blackmail, and obscenity on Discord.

General Coordinator of the Social Institute İpek Coşkun Armağan emphasized that the primary responsibility for combating digital addiction in Türkiye lies with families. However, she pointed out that urbanization has led to a growing gap between families and children’s socio-emotional bonds.

Armağan emphasized that families who did not grow up with digital platforms struggle to be effective digital guides to their children. She stated: “Taking smartphones away from children does not solve the problem. This creates ‘peer pressure’ from parents who buy the latest models of phones and send their children to school with them. For example, students whose phones are taken away in one class. may face peer pressure from students who have a phone in another class.”

Armağan noted that the recent decisions to block access to these two platforms have exposed the dark side of social media and digital addiction, underscoring the significant responsibilities placed on families.

She emphasized that Türkiye needs a civil family movement regarding digital addiction and social media use, stating: “We need to make a sociological decision here, just as society reacts strongly to femicide, the same reaction should be applied when a child on social media using social media. an addiction level.”

“So Türkiye needs a family movement to tackle digital addiction and social media use. Through this movement, families should organize to report harmful platforms and promote access restrictions. The problem is that many families don’t even know how to use complaint mechanisms. should be regularly informed about these issues.”

Australia is currently preparing legislation that would ban children aged 14 to 16 from opening social media accounts, and Armağan stressed that similar actions are urgently needed in Türkiye.

Armağan pointed out that both adults and young children can be easily misled on Discord, which can lead to numerous negative situations such as the sale of drugs and the spread of illegal information.

She expressed her support for the decision to block access to Discord, stating: “Many platforms like Discord are currently being used for purposes other than their intended ones. These platforms should also be thoroughly investigated.”

Armağan emphasized that the rise of digitalization in Türkiye has led to a transformation in society, noting that challenges in managing “leisure time” are one of the fundamental problems.

She indicated that people spend their free time in shopping malls or on social media platforms, and families watch television or spend time on their smartphones during the time they spend at home.

Armağan also emphasized that families should first serve as role models for their children in combating digital addiction and focus on engaging activities.

She suggested that “municipalities should address this issue, which concerns the entire community, as a fundamental problem and declare a mobilization to increase activities related to the management of leisure in urban and rural areas.”

Armağan also emphasized that even preschoolers use their parents’ smartphones, which she said does not lead to a better society. She recommended that families buy basic phones for their children as a solution to this problem.