Today, technology has become an essential part of our lives. Children, in particular, are using the internet and digital platforms from a very young age. However, this also brings certain risks. One of the most important of these risks is cyberbullying.
Workshops within the Sustainable Technological Adaptation Project (SETAP) continue with important topics. One of these workshops was held on Wednesday, April 8, at the Ataşehir Municipality Ferhatpaşa Ataevi SHM, with the active participation of Yeditepe University E-Commerce students and the support of the Yarenlik Yolu platform. In this event, children experienced a very different approach compared to traditional teaching methods.
During the workshop, Yeditepe University E-Commerce students wore colorful clown costumes, put on red clown noses, and communicated with the children through games. This helped them connect with the children more easily. They combined fun with digital awareness and explained how to stay strong against cyberbullying through interactive games. In this way, they planted the first seeds for children to take safe steps in the digital world of the future.
Throughout the workshop, situations that children may face in their daily lives were explained through games. Different types of cyberbullying were also included in these activities. For example, receiving insulting messages, being excluded from group chats, being ignored online, or being mocked for posts were discussed. Children learned how to respond to these situations through fun games and small role-play scenarios.
In addition, children learned how to react to messages from strangers, how to behave when they are excluded by friends, and how to deal with negative comments online. Topics such as protecting personal information and respectful communication were supported through simple games and fun tasks. This allowed children not only to hear what is right but also to experience and practice the correct behavior.
Thanks to the friendly atmosphere created by the clown characters, children felt more comfortable expressing themselves. The workshop was filled with laughter, combining fun and learning at the same time. A serious topic like cyberbullying was explained in a way that children could easily understand, helping them better internalize the message.
This experience once again showed that one of the most effective ways of learning is learning by doing. Children were not just listeners, they became part of the activities. As a result, they learned more effectively how to handle digital risks they may face in the future.
The active participation of Yeditepe University E-Commerce students in SETAP social responsibility projects is a key part of these workshops. These activities allow students to contribute to society while turning their theoretical knowledge into real-life experience.
In conclusion, small smiles can create big impacts. This workshop, organized within the scope of SETAP, was a small but meaningful step for children growing up in the digital age. By combining fun and education, this approach also serves as an inspiration for future projects. Because sometimes the strongest messages are delivered with a clown’s smile.