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The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), which shares official statistics on Turkey, has released the results of its "Survey on Information and Communication Technology Usage by Children" for 2021.
The survey has shown that the Internet usage was 50.8 percent in 2013 for children aged 6-15, it became 82.7 percent in 2021.
When Internet usage was analyzed by gender, it was observed that the proportion of Internet usage of boys increased to 83.9 percent in 2021, which was 53.7 percent in 2013, and Internet usage proportion of girls increased to 81.5 percent in 2021, which was 47.8 percent in 2013.
Regular usage of Internet on the increase
90.1 percent of the children using the Internet declared they used the Internet almost every day while 8.5 percent of the children said at least once a week and 1.4 percent of them less than once a week.
The proportion of the children who declared that they used the Internet regularly in 2021, including almost every day or at least once a week, was 98.6 percent. This proportion was 91.8 percent in 2013.
The top usage purpose: Online classes
In the activities carried out on the Internet by children aged 6-15 using the Internet regularly, participation in online classes with 86.2 percent took the first place in 2021, which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the Internet for homework or learning with 83.6 percent came second.
This purpose was followed by playing or downloading games with 66.1 percent, watching videos from sharing sites with 61 percent, making calls (including video calls) over the Internet with 55.5 percent. The least activity of children on the Internet was online shopping with 9.1 percent.
Regular use of social media
31.3 percent of children using the Internet regularly stated that they used the Internet for social media.
It was seen that 77.7 percent of children in the 6-15 age group using social media used it almost every day, 16.5 percent of them at least once a week, and 5.8 percent of them less than once a week. The proportion of children who declared that they used the Internet and social media regularly including almost every day or at least once a week was 94.2 percent.
According to the TurkStat, children using regular social media used social media for an average of 2 hours and 54 minutes a day on weekdays, and an average of 2 hours and 44 minutes a day on weekends.
Mobile phone and smartphone use: 64.4 percent
The proportion of children aged 6-15 who stated that they used mobile phones/smartphones was 64.4 percent in 2021.
When the proportion of using mobile phone/smartphone was analyzed by age group, it was seen that this proportion was 53.9 percent in children aged 6-10, and increased to 75 percent in children aged 11-15.
84.6 percent of the children using mobile phone/smartphone stated that they used it almost every day, 13.3 percent of them at least once a week, and 2.1 percent of them less than once a week. The proportion of children who declared that they used a mobile phone/smartphone regularly including almost every day or at least once a week was 97.9 percent.
When the purposes of phone usage by children using mobile phones/smartphones regularly were examined; it was seen that the children in the 6-15 age group used mobile phones/smartphones for participating in online classes with the highest proportion of 77.7 percent.
This was followed by the purposes of studying, preparing homework/presentation with 77.4 percent, making calls (including video calls) with 68.7 percent, and playing online/offline games with 66.9 percent.
55.6 percent of children used computers
55.6 percent of the children stated that they used a computer (desktop/laptop/tablet). The proportion of children using computers was 60.5 percent in 2013. When the children using computers were examined by age group; 53.4 percent of children aged 6-10 and 57.8 percent of children aged 11-15 declared that they used computers in 2021.
While the proportion of children who said that at least one information and communication technology product such as a computer (desktop/laptop/tablet), mobile phone/smartphone, TV/smart TV, smart watch and game console was for their own use alone was 66.6 percent in 2021.
While the proportion of children having a computer for their own use alone was 24.4 percent in 2013, it was 46.3 percent in 2021. As for the proportion of children with a mobile/smart phone, this rate was 13.1 percent in 2013; it has increased to 39 percent in 2021.
Reading less for more time in front of the screen
When children were asked about the situations caused by the time they spent in front of the screen for activities such as usage of computer, mobile phone/smartphone, Internet and social media, playing digital games, watching TV, 35.9 percent of the children in the 6-15 age group stated that they read less books because they spent more in front of the screen.
This was followed by studying less with 33.5 percent, spending less time with family with 27.7 percent, meeting less face to face and playing less games with their friends with 25.4 percent and sleeping less with 17.2 percent. (SD)
