20.05.2026 17:51
The 2026 promotion meeting of the "Summer School Project" implemented by TÜGVA in Istanbul was held. Speaking at the meeting, Esra Albayrak, Chair of the Board of Directors of NUN Education and Culture Foundation, stated, "We must protect our children against the digital medium." Meanwhile, TÜGVA General President Beşinci said, "As the Turkey Youth Foundation, we are launching our summer schools and nature camps. Our goal this year is to reach 500 thousand of our children."
Speaking at the promotional meeting of the school, which will be held with the theme "Let Our Summer School Be Colorful" this year at the headquarters of the Turkey Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), Esra Albayrak, Chair of the Board of Directors of NUN Education and Culture Foundation, stated that there has been an increase in the digital addictions of young people and that families play a critical role in this regard.
Providing an example from a study conducted with over 20,000 students published by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, Albayrak noted that the study shows 35 percent of young people are at an alarming level regarding digital addiction, and a large portion of these young people also exhibit insufficient maturity in terms of digital literacy.
Albayrak said that another study shows 33 percent of young people think communicating with artificial intelligence is easier than talking to a human, and this is a situation that needs to be seriously questioned.
Pointing out that young people use artificial intelligence when determining their direction, Albayrak stated, "When you look a little closer at digital platforms, which seem like safe havens, they are actually a structure controlled by a very limited number of companies, producing very toxic algorithms. One of the biggest artificial intelligence tools engages in serious manipulation."
"WE MUST PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AGAINST DIGITAL MEDIA"
Albayrak added:
"Although current machines seem to make our daily lives easier, they have an algorithm that contains many toxic, dark elements within, repeating many things we dislike in our society and perhaps making them even more obscure. Therefore, as adults, our most basic responsibility towards our children is not to be overly optimistic. We must protect our children against digital media. This has nothing to do with freedoms or freedom of expression. You would not knowingly poison your child or feed them spoiled food."
Emphasizing that adults have a great responsibility, Albayrak said, "The events we experienced in Maraş and Urfa have nothing to do with Turkish societal codes or Turkish civilization codes, not remotely."
Albayrak stated, "In a world that is becoming homogenized, digitalization is an issue for all countries, and the children growing up in these digital environments seem not to be our own. Therefore, we have a responsibility not to withdraw our hand from our children. We have a responsibility to protect this area against dangers. Families bear a huge burden. They rightfully ask, 'How can we protect them?' Digital platforms have an issue of being addictive."
"WE WILL NOT FEED OUR CHILDREN TO THE WOLVES"
Noting that addiction has a common mechanism, Albayrak stated, "We know the hunter in this matter. And we do not want our children to become the prey. We will not feed our children, our lambs, to the wolves."
Expressing that she finds the recent regulation on digital platforms very important, Albayrak said, "I see TÜGVA's work as 'putting their hand under the stone.' I observe that families do not know how or with what to occupy their children, especially during a long summer break, neither mentally, physically, nor spiritually. So I see they are struggling. It is understandable that it is even more difficult for working parents in their households."
Stating that projects like the Summer School being free of charge is a social good movement and provides safe spaces, Albayrak thanked those who contributed.
"WE MUST COLLECTIVELY ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF OUR YOUTH"
TÜGVA General President İbrahim Beşinci stated that they gathered to call for an education mobilization. Emphasizing that the world is undergoing a great change, technology is advancing, and professions are transforming, Beşinci noted that preparing young people only for exams in a rapidly changing era is not enough; while equipping them with the necessities of the age, they must not be detached from their own values.
Pointing out that young people's minds, ideas, time, and even dreams are being shaped by the global system, Beşinci said, "Our youth try to preserve their identity every day amidst thousands of images, ideas, advice, and directions. We must not only criticize or alienate this youth but understand the struggle they are waging. We must succeed in being and staying by their side."
Stating that education is not an issue that can be shouldered solely by teachers or schools, Beşinci stated, "Families, schools, non-governmental organizations, media organizations, and all dynamics of society must collectively assume responsibility in the development process of our youth."
"OUR GOAL IS TO REACH 500 THOUSAND OF OUR CHILDREN"
Beşinci said, "As the Turkey Youth Foundation, we are launching our summer schools and nature camps. We set our goal this year to reach 500 thousand of our children. Here, we fortify our youth's hearts with the light of the Quran, their bodies with the discipline of sports, and their minds with the power of knowledge. We invite all middle school youth to our summer schools, which have a very rich curriculum ranging from ilmihal to etiquette, horsemanship to archery, swimming to chess, theater to nature walks."
WILL CONTINUE FOR 6 WEEKS
Answering questions about the free TÜGVA Summer School, Beşinci said:
"Our summer schools will start in July and last for 6 weeks. Applications have started today via our website. It will hopefully spread to all corners of Anatolia. All middle school students can participate. Nature camps will last 3 nights and 4 days, also continuing throughout July. There will also be thematic camps; we will host many events together with our youth."
During the promotional program, author Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten, author Ekrem Demirli, Social Institute General Coordinator İpek Coşkun Armağan, Prof. Dr. Oytun Erbaş, author Hayati İnanç, author Merve Gülcemal, journalist İbrahim Zahid Altay, author Hatice Kübra Tongar, and author Sıtkı Aslanhan also gave speeches sharing their ideas and opinions.
Many middle school students attended the program in addition to the invitees.