Emine Erdoğan: Türkiye among first countries to act against children's digital risks

Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan spoke at the World Summit “Investing in Children's Well-being” in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. She said traditional well-being indicators, often presented as percentages, can overlook the bigger picture, and that issues such as climate anxiety, artificial intelligence and digital violence must be addressed.

Erdoğan said Türkiye is among the first countries to act to protect children from digital risks through its Digital World Child Rights Convention. Access to social media has been restricted for children under 15, and platforms must now apply age verification and parental controls. She also cited the 2026-2035 “Family and Population Decade” and said more than 11,000 children live with foster families under the Gönül Elçileri Project.

On Gaza, she said more than 21,000 children have been killed in three years and that 197 ambulances, 38 hospitals and 96 health centres were put out of service. She said over 100 countries attended the summit and thanked Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, wife of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.