SIC+ programme: Turkey - Turkey Safer Internet Centre (Güvenli İnternet Merkezi Türkiye)

The Safer Internet Centre Turkey was established in 2017, and operates under the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA), Turkey.

With its three units – the awareness centre, helpline, and hotline – the centre guides parents, carers, guardians, educators, communities, public/private sectors, NGOs, and governmental organisations, in Turkey, on how to protect children and Turkish society online.

By working with stakeholders, such as related NGOs and service providers, the centre also organises events, seminars, and training programmes to inform children and young people about the reliable, efficient, and conscious use of the internet.

Activities include:

• Regular training programmes are being held at schools, mainly for children, teachers, and families.
• Safer Internet Truck with the aim of creating a platform for children and youth who have limited access to technology.
• The Safe Web (guvenliweb.org.tr), Safe Kid (guvenlicocuk.org.tr) and Safe Play (www.guvenlioyna.org.tr) websites are used for awareness raising and contain comprehensive and up-to-date content.
• Open Source Book Project for bringing relevant information into one place.

internetyardim.org.tr consists of eight main topics such as information security, cyberbullying, illegal content, social media, digital games, and so on. Users can get information from a FAQ system under these eight topics. They can also contact the Safer Internet Centre helpline and get advice via an online form or from the call centre, ALO 141.

There were approximately 6,000 requests to internetyardim.org.tr and 80,000
calls to the ALO 141 internet helpline during 2023.

ihbarweb.org.tr serves as a one-stop site to report a diverse spectrum of illegal content that might be encountered online. This includes fighting against the distribution of harmful content depicting children and material promoting drug use, gambling, prostitution, or directing people towards self-harm. Reports are evaluated technically and legally in accordance with Law No. 5651 and relevant legislation. The hotline is a member of INHOPE (The International Association of Internet Hotlines).

In the frame of youth participation activities, a "Short film and public spot competition" and "Board game creation competition" about the safe use of the internet are organised, and awards are given during the annual Safer Internet Day celebrations.