Yıldız Technical University and the Health and Life Association have signed a cooperation protocol to jointly combat digital addiction. Joint efforts will be undertaken to raise public awareness of the risks of the digital world, protect children and young people, and promote the responsible use of technology. 

Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) and the Health and Life Association (SAYADER) have signed a Comprehensive Cooperation Protocol on the Prevention of Digital Addiction. The protocol aims to develop academic and social initiatives to prevent digital addiction, particularly to protect children and youth from the harmful effects of the digital world and to encourage the proper use of technology.

Joint efforts will be undertaken to combat digital addiction

As part of this collaboration, symposia, conferences, panels, seminars, workshops, meetings, and competitions will be organized. Plans include developing projects to encourage children and youth to use technology appropriately, preparing educational programs, and organizing nationwide awareness campaigns. Community-benefiting activities such as nature walks, field trips, and tree planting will also be considered within this scope. 

Alternative content will be developed for digital platforms

The collaboration’s objectives also include preparing and disseminating social media content to raise awareness about digital addiction and problematic technology use, as well as organizing workshops and seminars aimed at developing an alternative communication language to support healthy technology use among children and youth on digital platforms. Events such as poetry, slogan, logo-mascot, story, short film, and animation contests will be organized in this regard. 

Under the protocol, educational, awareness-raising, and outreach activities will be organized on days such as Safer Internet Day, April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, May 19 Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day, World Mental Health Day, and World Children’s Rights Day.

These efforts aim to contribute to addressing digital addiction not only at the individual level but also in terms of education, society, and public policy.

Scientific contributions will be made to joint research and projects

YTÜ and SAYADER will also collaborate on conducting joint projects, research, studies, and publications regarding digital addiction and its risks. Findings from these studies, conducted in accordance with relevant legislation and ethical principles, will be utilized in educational and awareness-raising activities. 

The protocol also envisions providing scientific and technical contributions to the development of national plans, policies, and strategies aimed at protecting children and youth; and providing support—within the scope of the parties’ respective roles and authorities—for the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of national projects and action plans to combat digital addiction.