Perception of Violence Survey Revealed by Ministry of National Education in Türkiye
The Ministry of National Education (MEB) in Türkiye has recently released the findings of the country's first "Perception of Violence Survey" report, shedding light on alarming statistics related to various forms of violence perceived by students.
Alarming Rate of Recognized Violence
Mustafa Otrar, the director general of special education and guidance services at MEB, highlighted a concerning discovery from the survey, with 91.5% of participants identifying "touching in private areas" as a form of violence.
Artificial Intelligence and Child Harm
Professor Murat Okcu from Süleyman Demirel University raised awareness about the increasing utilization of artificial intelligence to harm children, noting that millions of children worldwide face online sexual abuse annually.
Key Findings of the Survey
Otrar presented the outcomes of the "Perception of Violence Survey" to the Children's Rights Subcommittee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, emphasizing that this study was the first of its kind in the country with no previous longitudinal research.
Scope of the Survey
The survey involved 6,380 students from fifth to eighth grades across 26 provinces, providing valuable insights into the various forms of violence perceived by the participants.
Prevalent Forms of Violence
Among the significant findings were the high rates of perceived violence related to "touching in private areas," threats of unauthorized sharing of personal information, and receiving sexually explicit messages.
Efforts to Combat Digital Addiction
Otrar reported on the initiatives undertaken during the academic years of 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to address digital addiction among students, parents, and teachers, showcasing a decline in the numbers reached during the latter period.
Role of Artificial Intelligence in Child Abuse
During the commission, Okcu warned about the risks associated with artificial intelligence in exacerbating issues of child abuse, highlighting the negative impact of synthetic images on children's self-perception and confidence.
Regulation of Digital Media and AI
Okcu stressed the urgent need for regulations concerning digital media, social platforms, and artificial intelligence to safeguard children from online sexual abuse, referencing reports estimating millions of children being subjected to such threats annually.
Complexity of Child Sexual Abuse Issue
With the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence globally, the complexities surrounding child sexual abuse are heightened, creating challenges in combating online harassment and exploitation of minors.
