11.11.2026 12:04
Prof. Dr. Abdülbari Bener, who was filmed while reading his own English scientific article on public transport and whose video was watched millions of times on social media, said that since he does not have a social media account, he learned about the video thanks to his daughter. Bener, who has nearly 700 articles in a career spanning more than 50 years from the Tillo district of Siirt to University College London, warned that internet addiction has become a disease in Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Abdülbari Bener, who was filmed while reading his own English scientific article on a bus and whose video reached millions on social media, recounted his more than 50-year academic journey that began in the Tillo district of Siirt and left a mark on the international scientific world, and gave advice to young people.
Prof. Dr. Abdülbari Bener, a faculty member at Istanbul Medipol University International School of Medicine, was filmed while reading his own English scientific article on public transport. While the video shared on social media was watched millions of times, Bener received comments and appreciation from thousands of people.
Bener conducted scientific studies with universities such as Manchester, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Glasgow, University College London, and Imperial College. In the list announced by Stanford University in 2022, he was included among the “world’s most influential scientists” while working at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (IUC) Faculty of Medicine. Bener, who carried out studies in various fields, especially biostatistics, epidemiology, and public health, conducted research on diabetes, vitamin D, infectious diseases, hearing loss, and internet addiction.
Bener, who has conducted studies in the field of medicine for half a century, taught in England, the US, Italy, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, and has nearly 700 academic articles, learned about his video when his daughter informed him, since he has no social media account.
Bener told an AA reporter about his life, his education, and his advice to young people.
I WORK IN EVERY FIELD THAT WILL BENEFIT PEOPLE
Explaining that his life was spent in different countries, Bener said, “I was born in the Tillo district of Siirt. I attended primary and middle school in Batman. Then I came to Istanbul and studied at Pertevniyal and Fatih Boys’ High Schools. After completing my master’s at Ankara University, I went to England in 1976 for doctoral education. I completed my doctorate at University College London. I lived abroad for 35 years. Afterwards, I taught and lived in England, Qatar, the US, Saudi Arabia, and many countries.”
Bener, who made a name for himself in the international medical community with nearly 700 scientific articles, said he would continue his academic studies and continue to offer his knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
Bener, who represents Türkiye with his scientific studies, stated that he still continues to work and said, “I still continue to write articles. I work in every field that will benefit people. Everyone should do this. Becoming famous is a passing whim. I have never looked at events with jealousy or rivalry. As a goal, one must be moderate in every respect, materially and spiritually. One should not try to get ahead of others, and should not view people as rivals or enemies. One must see everyone as a brother, as part of one ummah.”
Bener stated that scientific knowledge and being useful to humanity are more important than material gain, and continued as follows:
“Desiring this world and saying ‘Let me earn money, let me fill my pocket’ will benefit no one. A person will be held accountable for this both in this world and in the hereafter. People must use their time very carefully. Opportunities do not come again. A person should make the best use of the time given to them. They should think about how they can serve people and how they can be useful. Your field of work may be medicine, law, dentistry, or engineering. Everyone should do their part in their own field in the best way.”
Bener, who said he has not taken a break from reading for years, emphasized that reading and traveling the world introduce a person to new worlds.
HE LEARNED ABOUT HIS VIDEO FROM HIS DAUGHTER
Bener, who also spoke about his video that received thousands of comments on social media, said the following:
“I do not have Instagram or Facebook. I was never interested. I only have an email address. My daughter told me that my video was taken while I was reading my article. I read the comments, and we laughed together. In England, everyone from the elderly to the young reads a book on the bus or subway. They do not waste their time. To read a book, it is not necessary to be at home or at school. Unfortunately, this habit does not exist in Türkiye. My opinion is that the more people read books, the more their horizons broaden.”
INTERNET ADDICTION HAS BECOME A DISEASE
Bener stated that one of the biggest obstacles to reading books is internet addiction and that he has written nearly 30 international articles on this subject.
Expressing that internet addiction has become a serious problem in Türkiye, Bener said he has been working on this issue for about 20-25 years and spoke as follows:
“I have many articles on internet addiction. I worked with professors both in England and in Italy. I have been writing on this subject for about 20-25 years. Internet addiction has now become a disease in Türkiye. Most people sleep for 2-3 hours and put their phones under their pillows. Because of the internet, family ties and neighborly relations have completely fallen apart. Unfortunately, the harms caused by the internet have now reached a level requiring treatment. Most people are truly ill, but they are not aware of their illness. Internet addiction harms human health socially, psychologically, and physically.”
FAME IS LEFT BEHIND; WHAT MATTERS IS BEING REMEMBERED WELL
Stating that being remembered as a good person is his greatest goal, Prof. Dr. Bener concluded his remarks with these words:
“What is truly important to me is to be a just, rule-abiding, and respectful person who harms no one. Fame has no other benefit. It is important to live like an ordinary citizen who does not harm anyone’s rights or legal entitlements. Fame is left behind. What matters is being remembered well. Isn’t man mortal? He should do the good he can. The best of people is the one who serves humanity. Being unable to work due to illness or another reason is a separate matter. However, as long as Allah grants him life, a person should serve humanity. Raising good people, cultivating human beings, is important.”