O que aconteceu
A preliminary analysis of the EU Kids Online 2026 study, reported by Türkiye Today, shows that roughly 90% of Turkish children aged 10‑16 have used artificial intelligence, compared with about 66% across Europe. The same data indicate that one in four Turkish children seek emotional advice from AI tools, and about half use AI for homework assistance.
The EU Kids Online network conducted fieldwork in Türkiye with support from the Ministry of National Education’s Information Technologies Department. Preliminary results from 1,330 respondents show a sharp contrast with the broader European sample of 28,465 children surveyed between April 2025 and April 2026.
Professor Engin Kursun, coordinator for the Turkish component of the study, emphasized that Turkish children have adopted AI much faster than their European peers, noting that only one in ten Turkish children reported never having used AI, versus roughly one in three across Europe.
Detalhes da fonte: turkiyetoday.com ↗
Por que isso importa
The high adoption rate signals that AI is becoming a routine part of daily life for Turkish youth, raising questions about digital literacy, mental‑health support, and the adequacy of existing safeguards. With only 32% of surveyed children feeling safe online—well below the European average of 48%—the findings highlight a gap in online‑safety education and the potential for misuse of AI‑generated content, such as deep‑fakes or misinformation. Policymakers, educators, and platform providers will need to consider how to protect minors while preserving the educational benefits that AI can offer.
The prevalence of AI use for emotional advice—reported by 25% of Turkish respondents—raises concerns about the adequacy of parental guidance and the potential for children to rely on algorithmic advice for sensitive issues without professional oversight.
The low sense of online safety (32%) combined with a high fear of becoming victims of crime or manipulated images suggests that current digital‑literacy programs may not be addressing the specific risks associated with AI‑generated content, prompting a need for targeted interventions.
Mecanismo interativo: como realmente funciona
Explore a tecnologia subjacente a este desenvolvimento de forma interativa.
A route planner searches possible journeys using explicit rules. What does this illustrate about AI?
O que assistir a seguir
The full EU Kids Online report, slated for release in October, will provide a more detailed cross‑country comparison and may Turkish authorities to update guidelines on AI use in schools and child‑focused digital services.
Stakeholders should monitor the October release of the full EU Kids Online report for deeper insights into usage patterns, risk factors, and recommended policy measures.
Future developments may include revisions to Turkey’s national curriculum on digital citizenship, new regulations on AI tools marketed to minors, or collaborations between schools and tech firms to embed safety features directly into AI applications used by children.