Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced the results of the 2024 Information Technologies Use in Children Survey. Accordingly, internet usage in children was 82.7 percent in 2021 and 91.3 percent in 2024. When internet usage is examined by gender; It was observed that 92.2 percent of boys and 90.3 percent of girls used the internet. These rates were 83.9 percent and 81.5 percent, respectively, in 2021.
97.4 percent of children using the internet declared that they use the internet regularly. This rate was 98.6 percent in 2021. It was observed that 42.9 percent of children who use the internet regularly spend about two hours or more a day on the internet on weekdays and 53.6 percent on weekends. When internet usage of approximately two hours or more per day is examined by age groups; This rate was 30.6 percent for the 6-10 age group and 54.4 percent for the 11-15 age group on weekdays. On the weekend, it was 43.2 percent and 63.5 percent, respectively.
CHILDREN MOST USED THE INTERNET FOR WATCHING VIDEOS
When the internet usage purposes of children who use the internet regularly are examined; The most common activities they carried out were watching videos with 83.9 percent, doing homework, learning or attending online classes with 75.0 percent, and playing games or downloading games with 72.7 percent, respectively. The least activity that children did on the internet was sending or receiving e-mail with 13.2 percent.
The rate of children using social media will be 66.1 percent in 2024. It was observed that 68.1 percent of boys and 64.0 percent of girls use social media. When social media usage is monitored by age groups; This rate was 53.5 percent in the 6-10 age group and 79.0 percent in the 11-15 age group.
97.9 percent of children using social media used social media regularly. Among children who use social media regularly, the rate of those who spend approximately two hours or more on social media platforms is; It was observed as 37.1 percent on weekdays and 49.5 percent on weekends. It was observed that the rate of children in the 11-15 age group who spent approximately two hours or more on social media was approximately 20 points higher than that of children in the 6-10 age group.
96.3 PERCENT OF CHILDREN USED YOUTUBE
The social media platform most used by children was YouTube with 96.3 percent. This was followed by Instagram with 41.5 percent, TikTok with 26.2 percent, Snapchat with 21.4 percent, Pinterest with 13.6 percent, Facebook with 9.5 percent and X with 4.9 percent. When the use of social media platforms is examined by age groups; YouTube was the most used application in both age groups. TikTok took the second place with 11.7 percent in the 6-10 age group, and Instagram took the second place with 63.0 percent in the 11-15 age group.
76.1 PERCENT OF CHILDREN USED MOBILE PHONES/SMARTPHONES
The rate of children stating that they use a mobile phone/smartphone was 76.1 percent in 2024. When the mobile phone/smartphone usage rate was examined by age groups, it was seen that this rate was 66.3 percent for children in the 6-10 age group and 86.2 percent for children in the 11-15 age group.
MOBILE PHONES/SMARTPHONES WERE MOST USED FOR INTERNET SURVIVAL PURPOSES
The rate of children who declared that they use mobile phones/smartphones regularly was 98.2 percent. When the purposes of these children’s mobile phone/smart phone use are examined; It was determined that the most common activities were surfing the internet with 77.9 percent, video or non-video conversation with 77.3 percent, watching movies, series, TV broadcasts or videos with 75.0 percent, and using social media with 73.6 percent.
Among children who use mobile phones/smartphones regularly, 32.6 percent stated that they check their mobile phones/smartphones at least every 30 minutes. This rate was 33.9 percent for boys and 31.2 percent for girls. The rate of children in the 6-10 age group who use mobile phones/smartphones regularly and state that they check their mobile phones/smartphones every half hour is 19.6 percent, while the rate of children in the 11-15 age group is 42.8 percent.
While the rate of children who regularly use a mobile phone/smart phone and check their phone at least every 30 minutes, who check their phone is the last thing they do before going to sleep and the first thing they do after waking up, and who use their phone even while watching television or eating with others, is 3.4 percent, at least The rate of children who did one was 58.6 percent. The rate of children performing at least one of these behaviors was 52.4 percent in 2021.
The rate of children who declared that at least one of the technology products such as computer (desktop/laptop/tablet), mobile phone/smartphone, smart watch and game console is for their sole use was 63.8 percent in 2024. It was observed that this rate was 66.9 percent for boys and 60.5 percent for girls. When children who only use an information technology product were examined by age group, it was seen that the most significant difference was in children using mobile phones/smartphones.
The proportion of children with mobile phones/smartphones for their own use alone will be 43.9 percent in 2024, the proportion of children with computers will be 35.7 percent, and the proportion of children with smart watches will be 14.3 percent. These rates will be respectively in 2021; were 39.0 percent, 46.3 percent and 3.9 percent.
BOYS PLAYED MORE DIGITAL GAMES THAN GIRLS
The rate of children stating that they play digital games will be 74.0 percent in 2024. When the rate of playing digital games is examined by gender and age group; While the rate of boys playing digital games was 82.8 percent, the rate of girls was 64.8 percent. This rate was 80.6 percent for boys in the 6-10 age group, 70.6 percent for girls, 85.0 percent for boys in the 11-15 age group, and 58.7 percent for girls.
90.8 percent of children who play digital games declared that they play digital games regularly. It was observed that 25.6 percent of the children who played digital games regularly played digital games for approximately two hours or more a day on weekdays and 41.8 percent on weekends. When children who play digital games for approximately two hours or more a day are examined by age groups; This rate was 21.8 percent for the 6-10 age group and 29.8 percent for the 11-15 age group on weekdays. On the weekend, it was 37.4 percent and 46.6 percent, respectively.
When children who play digital games regularly are asked about their personal thoughts about playing digital games; 46.3 percent of children stated that they thought their parents played too many games on them. Of the children who play digital games regularly, 40.1 percent say they play more than planned, 35.6 percent say that playing games causes them to neglect their responsibilities, 29.9 percent say they spend too much time playing games, and 23.4 percent say that playing games causes them to neglect their responsibilities. He stated that he felt restless and unhappy when he did not play digital games.
CHILDREN READ LESS BOOKS TO ENJOY MORE SCREEN TIME
To children; When asked about the reasons they spend in front of the screen for activities such as computer, mobile phone/smartphone, internet and social media use, playing digital games, watching TV, 34.4 percent of children stated that they read less books because they spent more time in front of the screen. . This was followed by studying less with 33.3 percent, spending less time with family with 25.5 percent, seeing friends face to face less and playing games less with 18.6 percent, and sleeping less with 17.2 percent.
