Safer Internet Day, celebrated every year in 150 countries around the world, was marked this year under the theme “Together for a Better Internet” hosted by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority.
Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, who participated in the program, emphasized the enduring importance of communication. Sayan stated, "While you are sitting here listening to me, in one minute on the internet, 35,000 cyber attacks occur, 21,000 spam emails are sent, intrusion attempts are made on 470,000 networks, 95,000 malicious software programs are neutralized, and 32,000 computers are incorporated into botnets."
Deputy Minister Sayan: Internet Usage Age is Decreasing
Sayan pointed out that when the internet is used for improper purposes, it becomes an effective tool in spreading hate speech, racism, Islamophobia, in the propaganda of terrorism and recruiting supporters for it, and in disseminating content that negatively affects the psychological development of children and youth. He noted that due to these risks, attacks can be carried out against individuals, institutions, and states in the cyber environment.
Sayan explained that the age of internet usage, which is a significant part of life, is decreasing, stating that children aged 9-16 constitute the group that spends the most time on the internet.
Explaining that these data reveal how much effort is needed for young people to use the internet safely, Sayan evaluated, "I see cyber attacks, provocations on social media, and the spread of manipulated information as weapons of modern world wars. In the coming years, alongside conventional warfare techniques, we will encounter more digital world and social media-focused threats."
Sayan also provided information on the Social Media Law, saying, "We will make a new regulation in 2022. The aim of this regulation is to strengthen the relationship established with social network providers and to protect the rights of our citizens."
BTK President Karagözoğlu: Approximately 14 Million Subscribers Prefer the Safe Internet Service Family Profile
BTK President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu also noted that since 2020, when the pandemic began to spread in the country, many things occupying our lives have been replaced by their digital counterparts, and the time spent in virtual environments has increased significantly. He said, "Data shows that we use the internet for an average of 8 hours a day. We use the internet at a high rate of 94% from our mobile devices. This situation shows that our responsibilities have increased in all positive and negative aspects offered by digital environments."
Especially during the pandemic period, the increasing integration of the internet, social networks, and digital games into life more intensively has caused the current online risks in these environments to rise. Karagözoğlu called for the formation and widespread adoption of digital awareness today by saying "Together for a Better Internet" against many situations such as cyberbullying, fake news, disinformation, online exploitation, privacy violations, and addiction.
Karagözoğlu announced that the Safe Internet Service Family Profile, which protects both children and parents in many ways, is preferred by approximately 14 million subscribers.
Drawing attention to cyberbullying being at the top of the risks children face on the internet, Karagözoğlu said, "Especially our children in the 15-16 age group are subjected to cyberbullying more than other age groups and rank first with 33.8%."