Head of Communications Duran delivers speech at “Panel on Responsibility, Freedom, and Security in Social Media”
Head of Communications Duran said, “The digital ecosystem—particularly online gaming and visual-sharing platforms—enables access to detrimental content and provides opportunities for the misuse of personal data.”
Presidency’s Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran attended the “Panel on Responsibility, Freedom, and Security in Social Media” organised by the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications.
Head of Communications Duran pointed out that beyond real life, there is now also a virtual life, remarking, “Sometimes we wonder whether we spend more time in our real life or in our virtual life. There are also people who experience this in different ways.” Head of Communications Duran stated that even when one is not present in the virtual world, a virtual life exists and continues to operate, stating, “Certain large companies, data collection centres are processing information about us. So we actually have two parallel lives.”
Stating that there is nothing more reasonable than discussing responsibility, freedom and security and seeking a balance in this matter, Head of Communications Duran said that we live in a world of opportunities and risks that must be managed with shared responsibility, balancing freedom and security.
Head of Communications Duran stated that they are aware of the opportunities presented by new technological developments and digitalisation, and that with the incorporation of new elements, revolutionary changes have taken place in many areas, including artificial intelligence. Head of Communications Duran stated that the meaning of these developments is that human life becomes easier and that it becomes possible to gain a diverse range of experiences, adding:
“From this perspective, we may say that it constitutes, at least in part, a ‘realm of freedoms’, albeit a virtual one. However, the unlimited interaction opportunities offered by these digital platforms do more than merely enhance our freedom of expression. They create new risk areas concerning privacy, information identity, disinformation and social polarisation. We are aware that social media platforms offer us new opportunities for self-expression. However, it is a sphere expanding to such an extent that it cannot be left to evolve unchecked. This also calls for regulation. This sphere, as it keeps expanding, should not be considered a space where everything is laid out without caution. Therefore, regulating this space and having rules in place for it is also a critical matter.”
”These spaces also need an ethical framework”
Head of Communications Duran said that, in terms of young people, there is a risk that social media may turn into a “homogenising” space. Noting that this aspect of social platforms must also be taken into account alongside the freedom they offer, Head of Communications Duran said, ”When we look at the situation today, even those who carry out the most significant studies on social media—and those who advocate it as a space of freedom—explain to us how social media is governed by algorithms across many areas, including the exchange of information, images, fashion, beliefs, and opinions.”
Noting that the panel brought together the triad of ”freedom, security, and responsibility” and that this was highly valuable, Head of Communications Duran continued:
”Digitalism, social media, and artificial intelligence present themselves as phenomena characterised by speed, boundlessness, and a lack of control. Naturally, these spaces also need an ethical framework. Leading sociologists and thinkers argue that the concept of ethics should be assessed particularly through the social dimension of morality. Today, the fact that digital platforms allow young people and children to engage directly with society also makes these platforms a subject of ethical debate. It should be noted that this space, which affects every aspect of our lives and generates vulnerabilities related to privacy, public access, boundaries, security, and social concerns, is also significant from an ethical perspective. We must reach a consensus on a set of principles for social media platforms, including refraining from disseminating disinformation, avoiding any contribution to hate speech, not reinforcing sexist norms, not exacerbating class-based injustices, steering clear of exhibitionism, and preventing content that may have adverse effects on the mental and psychological development of children. Such a common space needs to be established both nationally, in Türkiye, and globally.”
”We cannot allow it to go unchecked”
Noting that there are many concerns generated by the capitalist system, such as “competitive market conditions”, “getting clicks”, and “gaining engagement”, Head of Communications Duran stated that they have observed that these concerns sometimes exceed ethical boundaries and create problems.
Expressing the need for young people spending time in front of their screens to be aware of where they might be led towards by algorithms, Head of Communications Duran said, “We cannot allow our young people to be guided by various powerful opinions on social media without realising which algorithm, which company, which interest group, or even which state is involved in campaigns targeting our privacy and digital sovereignty.”
Head of Communications, Duran, stated that it is imperative to be aware of algorithms that reduce the connection to reality or introduce alternate realities into people’s minds and noted that “social isolation” is among the risks posed by digitalisation. Stating that digital addiction has become one of the most widely discussed issues, Head of Communications Duran said:
“This cannot be overcome merely by engaging in digital detox through a diet-like analogy or by avoiding digital gluttony. I think much more is needed for this. The reason is that the ‘artificial happiness’ framework offered by digital platforms, the allure of curated, perfect lives, feeds the sense of inadequacy in us, young people, and children, and opens up a very problematic area related to self-realisation. Filtered images, content that feeds on extremes, and idealised and disguised life narratives – all of these pose a risk to our children and youth. Unfortunately, they are also consumed a lot. The proliferation of marginal video platforms driven by such content is creating a dopamine-based zone of addiction among our youth. In fact, perhaps it goes beyond just our youth, and many of us are faced with the same situation. Endlessly scrolling screens and highly momentary video consumption create a completely different digital memory, a completely different digital intelligence. How aware are we of this? How aware are we of the mental fatigue, anxiety, and depression it brings? We are not sure about this yet.”
“It produces adverse effects that cost individuals their lives”
Head of Communications Duran expressed their discontent with the increasing fragility of mental health, digital bullying, and the predominance of violent and hateful speech in the digital world. Head of Communications Duran stated that an area of serious responsibility and challenges emerges when those who feed such tendencies become opinion leaders and prominent role models in the digital world, saying, “The digital ecosystem—particularly online gaming and visual-sharing platforms—enables access to detrimental content and provides opportunities for the misuse of personal data.”
Head of Communications Duran stressed that handling this space with a strong sense of responsibility is also critically important for security and stated the following:
“In fact, the spread of virtual betting and gambling content has emerged as one of these risks. As you are aware, our President places great emphasis on this matter. It is an issue that requires attention both through legal regulations and by raising public awareness. Because this is not merely a matter of individual addiction. It also generates harms that destroy families and cost individuals their lives. Therefore, not only children and young people but society as a whole face risks in the digital world, making awareness and protection essential. This awareness should advance in a manner grounded in responsibility and guided by ethical principles. Once we achieve this, we will have equipped both our individuals and our society with the necessary capacity. Of course, it is not possible to disengage entirely from the digital world. However, we must make sure that we are in charge of this digital world. Control must remain in our hands.”
“Digital platforms also have very important roles to play”
Head of Communications Duran said that a sense of public responsibility must be established in order to avoid being swept along within the digital world.
Head of Communications Duran underlined that, in addition to his role as Head of Communications, he believes—as a father and an academic—that establishing a digital environment where freedom and security are balanced calls for a multi-layered cooperation. Head of Communications Duran stated that state institutions must fulfil their respective responsibilities and went on to say the following:
”Our nation, its people, and all organised entities, including civil society, academics, and leading figures who can contribute to building a shared sense of responsibility for this world, require comprehensive and effective cooperation. Within the framework of this shared sense of responsibility, digital platforms also have very important roles to play. In summary, I can put it this way: within the legal framework set by our state, families, by raising both their own and their children’s awareness through their regulatory and supervisory role, and digital platforms, by assuming greater responsibility, must contribute to ensuring a safe digital environment for our youth and children. As President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has affirmed, ‘We can mitigate the adverse impacts of digital techno-culture on our youth solely through a spirit of collective solidarity.’ Thus, I hope that this panel will serve the objective outlined by our President.”
“Initiatives aimed at game content moderation are being introduced”
Head of Communications Duran stated that the challenges posed by social media have become an area of struggle not only for Türkiye but for the entire world. Affirming that many countries have introduced measures in this area, Head of Communications Duran stated, “Across the globe—from the United States to China, and from Australia to Germany—countries are rolling out initiatives including age verification, parental consent, algorithmic accountability, usage limitations, digital identity mechanisms, and the regulation of gaming content.”
Noting that certain legal regulations aimed at protecting social media users are already in force in Türkiye, Head of Communications Duran said that Law No. 5651 on the “Regulation of Publications on the Internet” stands as an example of such measures. Head of Communications Duran stated that social network providers have a liability to offer child-friendly services, establish advertising libraries, prepare crisis response plans, and comply with general principles of transparency, adding that Law No. 6698 on the “Protection of Personal Data” ensures the data security of social media users in Türkiye.
Emphasising that these measures are of great significance, yet pointing out the necessity of new legal regulations in the expanding digital sphere, Head of Communications Duran went on to say:
“Because technology does not stand still. With new breakthroughs, it continues to present us with new challenges. I would like to reiterate that the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT) and our relevant ministries are actively working within this framework. As you may be aware, the draft report titled ‘Threats and Risks Facing our Children on Digital Platforms’ was adopted by the relevant subcommission of the GNAT on 13 January. The report sets out comprehensive recommendations to safeguard our children from digital risks.
I am confident that the digital world will produce excellent results through the joint efforts of families, relevant public institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the academic community. As the Directorate of Communications, we are fully supporting efforts to both enhance the media literacy levels of our children and parents and to increase resilience and awareness against digital risks. Hopefully, this panel will also yield tangible and positive outcomes.”
Furthermore, Head of Communications Duran posted a message on his NSosyal account regarding the panel.
In his post, Head of Communications Duran noted:
“I was greatly honoured to convene with our esteemed guests at the Panel on Responsibility, Freedom, and Security in Social Media that we, as the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, organised.
Today, during our panel discussion entitled ‘Responsibility, Freedom, and Security in Social Media,’ we deliberated on one of the most critical issues of our era and engaged in the exchange of ideas.
We addressed the concept of social media in the context of the ‘freedom-security’ balance and proposed solutions with a sense of responsibility.
This subject genuinely reflects the necessity of collaboratively addressing the complex impacts of digitalisation, spanning from individual experiences to societal implications, and from issues of freedom to those of security.
Although, as with every new technological advancement, digitalisation initially provided a significant sense of self-confidence and freedom for individuals and societies, over time, the ethical, security, and social order implications of this transformation have become more apparent.
While offering ‘freedom’ to our youth, it simultaneously facilitates anonymous conformity and fictitious agendas.
The challenges posed by social media have become an area of struggle not only for Türkiye but for the entire world.
Many countries are adopting measures and enacting regulations to safeguard the well-being of future generations in this context.
Certain legal regulations designed to safeguard social media users are already in force within our country.
As the Directorate of Communications, under the leadership of our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are fully supporting, and will continue to support, efforts to both enhance the media literacy levels of our children and parents and increase resilience and awareness against digital risks.
On this occasion, I would like to extend my gratitude to our Head of Cyber Security, Ümit Önal; our President of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu; all our distinguished visitors; and everyone who contributed. I hope that our panel will yield positive results.”
