Since 2020, the Digital Balance Association has been working to raise awareness and produce lasting solutions regarding the conscious and balanced use of technology. The association’s founder and director, Tuğba Şengül Lik, shares content on social media platforms aimed at raising awareness and understanding on this issue. Lik especially targets parents with her content focused on helping children maintain digital balance.

Recently, the Netflix series Adolescence has drawn attention to the digital addictions of adolescents, as well as issues such as digital language and cyberbullying. As a result, the negative effects of the digital world—sometimes leading to serious consequences like murder—have once again come to the forefront.

Tuğba Şengül Lik, founder and director of the Digital Balance Association, emphasizes that families bear a great responsibility when it comes to helping children maintain digital balance. She also reminds us of the importance of strengthening family bonds to prevent the invisible loneliness that can exist within the home. Tuğba Şengül Lik has shared her thoughts on the topic and what needs to be done to reinforce family connections.

“The digital age has radically transformed every aspect of our lives, and family structures have also been affected by this transformation. Family members who once gathered around the same table for conversation are now scattered across the globe, and communication increasingly takes place through digital platforms. While these new forms of communication offer convenience, they also raise the question: ‘Are our family bonds weakening in the digital world?’ But there’s no need to worry! When used correctly, technology can offer new ways for families to stay connected without growing apart.

One of the greatest blessings of the digital age is the elimination of physical distances. Now, you can connect with relatives on the other side of the world with just a click. However, this convenience can also reduce face-to-face interactions. Those wonderful evening conversations that used to happen at the dinner table have now been replaced by group chats or Zoom calls. Even though physical distance may no longer be a barrier thanks to technology, the risk of emotional distance remains ever-present.”

So, what should be done in this situation?

The transformation of family structure isn’t limited to physical distances; communication styles are also evolving. Parents now text their children on WhatsApp, and grandmothers meet their grandchildren via FaceTime. Yes, these new methods of communication are certainly convenient, but they do come with a lack of intimacy and depth. Let’s turn this situation to our advantage: let’s do more than just send “good morning” messages in family WhatsApp groups. For example, you can set a weekly “Family Day” where everyone comes together. This could be a strong counter move against the new reality of the digital world!

Even though technology has reduced face-to-face communication, it also offers opportunities to strengthen family bonds. A shared family WhatsApp group not only facilitates fast communication but also makes it easier for everyone to stay updated throughout the day. And when you add activities like playing online games together or organizing virtual museum tours, technology suddenly transforms into a tool that strengthens the bond between family members. These kinds of activities can especially reinforce intergenerational bonds and create fun moments everyone can enjoy.

One of the most important ways to keep family ties strong in the digital age is to use technology in a balanced and mindful way. Sure, WhatsApp messages are great and FaceTime calls are amazing, but they can’t replace real-life gatherings. Don’t neglect opportunities to come together physically as a family. In fact, why not start a “tech-free dinner” tradition? This could help shift everyone’s focus away from their screens and toward each other.

By the way, as a boomer — someone who wasn’t born into technology — I must say this: traditional family values based on respect, love, empathy, and spending time together are still essential today. Unfortunately, in the modern world, these values are slowly eroding. Instead of listening to their grandmothers’ stories, children now watch cartoons on YouTube. The wise advice of elders has been replaced by internet searches — after all, Uncle Google knows everything, right? But as these digital habits replace traditional values, the depth of family bonds is also affected. Reviving traditional values in the modern world is critical to keeping families strong.

So, how can these two worlds—traditional and modern—coexist?

In fact, it’s entirely possible to strike a balance between these two worlds. Families can find ways to preserve traditional values without rejecting the conveniences and opportunities that the digital world offers. For instance, putting phones aside during dinner and playing an old-fashioned board game, or watching a movie together and discussing it afterward, can be a great start. The digital world doesn’t need to be completely excluded; however, to keep family bonds strong, it’s essential to set clear boundaries around its use. Families that manage to strike this balance can enjoy the benefits of the modern world while still maintaining the warmth of traditional family life.

It’s true—being a parent in the modern world has become more challenging compared to the past. Parents raising children in the digital age are trying to instill traditional values while also managing the opportunities and distractions technology brings. Striking this balance falls under the responsibility of parents. Maintaining healthy communication with their children, teaching them core values, and protecting them from the dangers of the digital world are among the most important duties of modern parents. This responsibility plays a key role in preserving strong family ties. The secret lies in a bit more patience, a bit more attentiveness, and a whole lot of love and involvement.

In conclusion, family bonds are undergoing a major transformation in the digital age. But this doesn’t mean that families must change completely. Traditional values can continue to exist in the modern world—and in fact, these values may be our strongest defense against the challenges posed by the digital era. The strength of family ties lies in resisting the allure of the digital world and appreciating the value of time spent together and shared experiences.

About the Digital Balance Association:

The Digital Balance Association was founded in 2020 by Tuğba Şengül Lik, a professional who has worked in the technology sector for many years and is also a mother of two. It is a non-profit social initiative that aims to promote a culture of conscious and balanced technology use in society.

Focusing on solutions for the healthy and balanced use of technology—which is increasingly recognized as a major global issue—the Digital Balance Association does not reject the existence or advancement of technology. Instead, it seeks to help individuals establish a healthy balance between life and the digital world.

The association works to raise awareness about the smart use of technology, reminding society to reassess habits related to smartphones and social media, and aims to close the growing gap between humanity and the digital realm in daily life.

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