The Hidden Threat of Screens

According to a recent study by Türkiye’s Ministry of National Education, 64.3% of fourth-grade students struggle to go a full day without using digital screens. When their devices are taken away, 64.6% report feeling unhappy, while 48.5% experience anger. But how can children be protected from the growing threat of digital dependency?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Körük, Head of the Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling at Yeditepe University, offers insight into the emotional, cognitive, and developmental risks tied to uncontrolled screen use—and outlines what can be done to reverse the trend.

Switching Off—Only to Switch Back On

The Digital World and Screen Use Study, conducted with 3,230 fourth-grade students, reveals that young children are becoming heavily reliant on devices such as televisions, tablets, smartphones, and computers. The data shows that 15.2% of children use these devices primarily for research, 13.9% for homework, and 12.1% for gaming.

More concerning, however, is the frequency of use: 60% of students return to their screens immediately after switching them off, while 40.8% resume use within the first hour. The report also indicates that nearly two-thirds of children cannot go a single day without digital access..

Socializing in the Digital Realm

The emotional impact of removing screens is considerable. Nearly 65% of students feel unhappy when their devices are taken away, and almost half become angry. While 36.1% report not using social media at all, the majority are daily or frequent users.
The effects on behavior and routine are also noteworthy:

13.6% of students regularly fall asleep in front of a screen;
53.9% do so occasionally;
64.2% use screens while eating;
86.4% interact with peers in digital spaces, with 40.5% doing so “always” and 45.9% “sometimes.”
Only 13.6% never engage with peers on digital platforms.

A Pattern of Escalating and Uncontrolled Use

Digital dependency in children often reveals itself through prolonged and poorly regulated screen time. As noted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Körük, when access to digital devices is limited, children may become restless, irritable, or even show signs of depression. This form of dependency is frequently accompanied by a gradual withdrawal from social interactions and physical activities, a noticeable decline in academic performance, difficulty maintaining attention, and recurring sleep disturbances. Over time, non-digital hobbies lose their appeal, and children begin to seek out digital content to occupy nearly all of their free time.”

The Impact Is Broader Than We Think

According to Dr. Körük, extended screen exposure can significantly hinder a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. Long hours in front of a screen may impair attention, limit the development of problem-solving and creativity, and reduce the capacity for empathy and emotional regulation. Social connection skills may deteriorate, while the physical effects range from posture problems and sleep irregularities to a higher risk of obesity due to reduced physical activity.”

What Can Be Done?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Körük outlines key strategies for preventing and managing screen addiction in children:

Establish healthy digital habits early: Teach children to engage with screens in a balanced and intentional way from a young age.
Implement structured screen time: Parents should set clear, limited, and consistent rules around device use, and encourage daily alternatives such as sports, art, and outdoor play.
Create shared rules: Involve children in deciding when and why screens will be used. This shared responsibility increases their compliance with boundaries.
Be a digital role model: Parents should be mindful of their own screen habits and strive to model balanced usage. Replacing passive digital engagement with quality family time is critical.
Seek professional help if needed: In more advanced cases, consulting a specialist may help restructure the child’s relationship with digital media.
Raise awareness in schools: Schools should include digital literacy and screen awareness in their education programs while using educational technologies in a measured and purposeful way.
Offer psychological guidance: School counseling services can support students through individual or group sessions and provide seminars for parents. Promoting social-emotional skills through non-digital activities can also help children thrive away from screens.