Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan took part as a speaker at the “Children's Summit”. Making striking evaluations under the title “Digitalization and Children”, Tarhan emphasized loneliness research conducted worldwide, stating that the new generation chooses loneliness. In this context, Tarhan stated that suicide rates have increased, adding that the role of social media in this cannot be denied.
“Rules in the World Have Changed with Digitalization”
As a speaker at the “Children's Summit”, organized by Psikomod Akademi with the participation of numerous experts, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the rules in the world have been rewritten with digitalization. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized the importance of adapting to this change. Tarhan said: “The world has changed with digitalization. Along with the changing world, the rules have also changed. It is necessary to adapt to these new rules. With the changing times, we need to change some of our parenting styles and family communication patterns. When we cannot change this, generational conflicts arise. Generational conflicts have always existed throughout history. It is written in Egyptian Papyrus, in Hittite Tablets. But this situation is usually found in societies at a rate of 10-15 percent. While the difference between generations used to be every 30 years, now it is every 3-5 years. The speed of information change between generations creates social and economic mobility. In this digital age, being intelligent is not enough. Einstein is a great genius, he has a very high IQ, having received the Nobel Prize in Physics, he plays the violin perfectly, and he plays chess. But his emotional intelligence is in tatters. Emotional intelligence is very important in marriage. In the 10th year of his marriage, he tells his wife; ‘If you want me to stay married to you, don't complain about me, bring my meals to my room regularly three times a day, and don't expect friendship or closeness from me.’ For this reason, his marriage does not work.”
“The Source of Positive Psychology is Anatolian Wisdom and Eastern Philosophy”
Providing information about the research conducted after the increase in suicide rates resulting from problems experienced by children and young people in the USA, Tarhan said: “In 2002, the US Children's Defense Fund published a statistic. Following this, federal governments in the US also went on high alert. The statistic is this: 3 young people under the age of 25 commit suicide every 6 days. 342 children under the age of 18 are arrested for violent crimes. 107 babies are born to adolescent mothers, 2,133 children drop out of school, 6,043 children are arrested, 135,000 children bring weapons to school. All these events occur in one day. Following this, the US government goes on high alert. The Federal Government issues a 5 million dollar grant. Seligman and his team from Penn State University conduct serious research. While material wealth in society increases on one hand, crime, violence, divorce, and suicide increase on the other. Why is this increase happening? A branch of science called the science of happiness, positive psychology, emerges. This field of positive psychology is actually the systematized form of Anatolian wisdom and Eastern philosophy, currently known as conscious awareness. They used Mevlana as a source but did not cite it. Thinking this was our fault, I wrote the works Mesnevi Terapi, Aşk Terapi, and Yunus Terapi.”
“Social Media Pushes the New Generation into Loneliness”
Sharing insights on the effects of social media and intergenerational differences, Tarhan said: “BBC and the University of Manchester published a loneliness study in 2018. In this study conducted on fifty thousand people, contrary to expectations, the rate of those over 75 years old who said ‘I am very lonely’ was 27 percent, while among those aged 16-24, it was 40 percent. This means that the new generation is choosing loneliness. That's why suicide rates, etc., are increasing. Social media plays a significant role here. I define Generation X as the radio generation. This Radio Generation represents those sixty years and older. The second generation is the television generation, referring to those between 30-60. But Generation Z is the 6-30 age group. This generation is the social media generation. Some values have changed in these generations. For example, their contact with technology is three times higher, their sense of organizational loyalty is three times lower compared to Generation Z, which is a self-confident, comfort-oriented generation. Individualism and being easygoing are higher, obedience to authority is lower. Moral sense is lower. Furthermore, Generation Z has lower impulse control compared to other generations. They make sudden decisions, which is why children are mistakenly diagnosed with hyperactivity. Then, social media usage is three times higher. Their multi-attention ability is higher than other generations, which is a positive trait. Love of work, social norms, and bonds of friendship are low in this generation. This generation has a higher susceptibility to the influence of popular culture. Family values are lower. Impatience and haste are higher. Individualism is higher. Self-expression and consumerism are high. Compliance with social norms is low. Their IQs are high, but their emotional learning is low. The emotional intelligence of these young people is low. Their sense of social and internal responsibility is low.”
“No One Should Despair Thinking of Generation Z”
Emphasizing Generation Z's fondness for the sense of innocence, Tarhan said: “No one should despair thinking of Generation Z. This generation is a free generation, and with the impact of digitalization, they can easily access everything. Therefore, they encounter every danger. They are an individualistic generation, but unlike our generations, they do not glorify evil but innocence. Our generations were raised to be paranoid. There was an understanding that the world is not safe, be careful, don't trust anyone. But this generation grows up with more self-confidence, a generation that can take more risks. This generation has high entrepreneurial and innovative characteristics. I believe that if we can speak the same language as this generation, great things will emerge. A young generation that has caught up with the world and the era is coming. Civilization has affected us. Without our prefrontal cortex, there would be no morality, no civilization, and no family. It is the prefrontal cortex that makes a human being human. A human child is born psychologically premature into the world. However, an animal child is born having learned about the world, while a human child is born to learn.”
“Digital or Substance Addiction Does Not Emerge in a Warm Family Environment”
Evaluating the importance of the family concept, Tarhan gave important advice to parents. Tarhan said: “There are certain attitudes in raising children in the digital age. When we implement these behaviors, children become proficient in social media and computers, and also become digitally literate. In this way, we can enable children to become good people. They can achieve academic, professional, and social success simultaneously. What we research in our family assessment scales are the dimensions of protectiveness and interventionism. Parental roles, democratic functioning, definition of equality, authoritarianism, disciplinary attitude, marital discord, problem-solving skills, and directly effective communication between parents are very important parameters. Problem-solving skills, direct effective communication, fulfilling one's own duties, role confusion, expressing emotional feelings, and caring for each other are also important dimensions in attitude patterns. Therefore, an individual managing themselves within a family is the same as a boss managing a business. Family culture encompasses shared values in the family, life scenarios experienced, interpretations, assumptions, symbols, ethical standards, stories, narratives, belief systems, and a set of role models. The family is a living concept, it has a personality. In the relationship between a child and the digital world, if the family environment is warm, loving, and one where time is spent together, with positive interaction, that child does not become addicted to the digital world or substances. Even if they get caught up in the superficiality of the world, they recover and return after a while; we can say that with ease.”