ISTANBUL, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The increasing digital dependency among children and youth in Türkiye is causing psychological issues such as "FOMO" (fear of missing out) and "virtual autism," officials warned on Wednesday.
Deniz Guler, deputy chair of Türkiye's Radio and Television Supreme Council, the authority responsible for regulating broadcasting and media services in Türkiye, said excessive use of digital devices, constant connectivity, screen addiction, and FOMO are leading to psychological challenges in children, including disrupted sleep patterns, heightened anxiety, and damaged self-esteem, reported Hurriyet daily news.
In response to these concerns, Türkiye is exploring potential regulations for social media use among individuals under 16.
Radiye Sezer Katircioglu, chair of the parliament's children's rights subcommittee, also raised alarm over the rising cases of "virtual autism." This condition, characterized by delayed communication skills, reduced emotional responsiveness, and limited connection to the outside world, is attributed to early and excessive screen exposure in young children.
According to the 2023 Türkiye Youth Study, conducted by the United Nations Population Fund and Hacettepe University's Institute of Population Studies, 92 percent of young people aged 15-24 use social media. The survey covered nearly 1,300 participants across 67 of Türkiye's 81 provinces.
