91 pct of children in Türkiye use internet, says TÜİK

Some 91 percent of children aged between 6 and 15 in Türkiye were reported to be using the internet in 2024, with YouTube emerging as the most prevalent social media platform among this age group, official data showed on Oct. 24.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), internet usage among children stood at 82.7 percent in 2021, reflecting a significant rise over the span of three years.

Among children who use the internet, 97.4 percent reported engaging with it habitually, with usage frequencies ranging from multiple times a day to at least once a week.

TÜİK highlighted that video streaming was the foremost reason for internet usage among children, with educational activities such as homework and online gaming following closely.

The percentage of children who actively used social media reached 66 percent, with YouTube being the leading platform at 96.3 percent among the 6-15 age group.

Other popular platforms where children spent time included Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, respectively.

When it came to mobile phone or smartphone use, 98.2 percent of children admitted to regular usage, with the predominant purpose being "browsing the internet."

Additionally, 32 percent of regular mobile users stated they checked their devices at least once every 30 minutes.

Three out of 100 frequent mobile users admitted that the first and last thing they did each day was checking their phones, adding that they often used their phones even while watching TV or during meals.

In 2024, 63.8 percent of children reported possessing at least one technological device solely for their personal use.

When asked about the effects of screen time activities such as computer use, internet browsing and social...