Through the Sustainable Technological Adaptation Project (SETAP), the workshops we conducted for weeks with middle school students in Ataşehir offered us something far more valuable than an answer to this question: the opportunity to think about it together.

Not Just Providing Information, But Creating Experiences

Before beginning the workshops, one of our biggest questions was this: How effective is it to simply explain the harms of screen time to children? Research and our observations pointed to the same reality: there is a deep gap between knowing and acting. A child may know that a phone distracts attention, but that knowledge alone is not enough to make them put it down.

That is why we built the SETAP workshops not on theoretical warnings, but on tangible experiences. Hands drawing imaginary forests with pastel colors, children wrapping yarn around cardboard to create entirely original designs, and classrooms filled with laughter alongside a therapeutic clown—none of these activities repeated the message that “screen time is harmful.” Instead, they demonstrated something much more meaningful: there is also a world beyond the screen that can inspire you, engage you, and make you smile.

This distinction may seem small, but it is extremely important. Telling children “don’t do this” leaves a void. The real function of our workshops was to help fill that void.

Not Opposing Technology, But Becoming Conscious Partners

One of the most important things we learned during the SETAP process was that we could go much further when we did not position technology as an enemy. Replacing “Put your phone away” with “Let’s try this now” removed resistance. While examining Rousseau’s forest paintings, hearing children say in surprise, “But he never actually saw these forests!” reminded us of how powerfully imagination can function independently from screens.

During the sustainable design workshop, one student, after seeing used materials transformed into new products, said: “So just because something ends doesn’t mean its purpose is over.” That sentence captured the spirit of the workshop more accurately than anything else discussed that day.

Children teach us; we simply prepare the stage.

Awareness Does Not Arrive Overnight

Another important lesson we gained throughout the workshops was patience. Neither children’s screen habits change through a single workshop, nor are parents’ concerns fully resolved in one seminar. Change happens when small shifts begin to accumulate.

One student struggled to stay seated during the first week, yet in the following weeks became the child who could focus for the longest period. A group that initially seemed shy during the therapeutic clown workshop soon found themselves at the center of a room filled with laughter. Witnessing these moments reminded us why SETAP was never just a “project.” What was truly happening was a gradual transformation in the relationship children were building with themselves.

What SETAP Taught Us

SETAP workshops began with the intention of teaching children something, but along the way we realized that this journey was mutual. After each workshop, our own understanding became clearer: technology literacy is not simply about a list of “what not to do.” The real goal is to help children recognize, question, and reshape their relationship with technology whenever needed.

We might call this digital autonomy. And this autonomy begins to grow quietly—in the focused silence of a child drawing their imaginary forest with pastel colors, or in the curious eyes of another child looking at the very first product they created from recycled materials.

The workshops may have ended, but those seeds have already begun to grow.

What We Learned from the SETAP Workshops: What Lies Beyond a Screen? yazısı ilk önce E-Adaptasyon üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

The ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Blue Hall of the Rectorate Building of Yeditepe University. Following a project period filled with creative, educational, and awareness-oriented activities, students, children, academics, and all contributing stakeholders came together to celebrate this special day.

The event began with an opening speech by Prof. Dr. Altan Kar. During the speech, the contribution of SETAP in helping children use technology consciously, productively, and from a sustainable perspective was emphasized, along with the importance of university–local government collaborations and the achievements gained throughout the project.

Afterward, participants watched the SETAP activity video, which highlighted the workshops, activities, and developmental progress achieved during the project. An e-exhibition featuring the children’s creative works was also displayed and received great interest from attendees.

One of the most meaningful moments of the ceremony was the certificate presentation. Certificates were awarded to stakeholders who contributed to the project, children who actively participated in the workshops, and E-Commerce Department students who dedicated their efforts throughout the process. The happiness of the children and the pride of their families created some of the most memorable moments of the day.

SETAP was not only a project, but also a meaningful learning journey that supported children in building a healthy relationship with technology, strengthened creativity, and fostered sustainable thinking skills. We would like to thank all academics, students, families, and stakeholders who contributed to this process, and we look forward to meeting again in future projects with new student participation and continued support.

Our SETAP Certificate Ceremony Was Successfully Held! yazısı ilk önce E-Adaptasyon üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

At this point, the central issue highlighted by the study titled “The Loneliest Children of the Busiest Parents of Our Time: A Balanced Digital Life Study for Generation Alpha” becomes increasingly visible. Children’s experiences are gradually becoming fragmented within a rapidly accelerating digital environment, and this transformation is closely connected not only to screen time but also to attention spans, cognitive depth, and forms of social interaction. One of the study’s key insights is that the real concern is not merely children’s exposure to the digital world, but the kind of attention and relationship they establish within it.

For today’s children, the greatest challenge is no longer accessing information; it is staying with that information. Being patient while solving a problem, sustaining a thought without abandoning it halfway, or maintaining focus despite external distractions are becoming increasingly critical skills in the digital age. Yet these abilities do not develop automatically. On the contrary, they risk weakening unnoticed within the endlessly accelerating flow of content. For this reason, childhood experiences must now be reconsidered not only through the lens of learning but also through mental resilience. Cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and problem-solving shape not only academic performance but also the way children perceive and understand the world. How long a child can remain engaged with a question ultimately shapes the depth of their thinking.

At this stage, parenting emerges as one of the most critical—and rapidly changing—parts of the process. Today’s parents are not only caregivers but also guides attempting to create balance within an increasingly fast-paced world. However, this pace often affects the quality of time spent with children. While families may spend more time in the same physical environment, the amount of time truly spent focusing on the same thing together may be decreasing. Yet in child development, what matters most is not the amount of time spent together, but how that time is shared. Talking together, thinking together, trying to solve a problem together, or simply listening attentively—each of these experiences is just as important for a child’s mental development as academic skills. This is because children do not learn attention entirely on their own; they learn it through relationships in which they themselves are given attention. Therefore, parenting today is becoming not merely a practice of guidance, but a practice of shared presence. While it is impossible to completely control a child’s relationship with the digital world, leaving it entirely unrestricted does not create a healthy balance either. What children truly need is an adult companion who can help them make sense of their digital experiences—not a parenting approach based solely on prohibition, but one grounded in guidance and accompaniment.

At a time when children are so deeply intertwined with the digital world, the need for spaces where they can rebuild their focus, think together, and experience genuine interaction has become increasingly apparent. As screen time rises, naturally developing face-to-face skills are practiced less frequently. This makes supporting skills such as patience, communication, and problem-solving even more essential.

Within this context, the Brain Exercise Workshop, carried out as part of SETAP through the collaboration between the E-Commerce Department of Yeditepe University and Ataşehir Municipality, stood out as a small yet meaningful response to this growing need. Through focus-enhancing games, memory exercises, problem-solving activities, and teamwork practices, children experienced concentration, mental continuity, diverse perspectives, and collaboration. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the workshop was that children had the opportunity to remain actively engaged in the thinking process itself—because mental development often takes place not in the outcome, but in the process.

The workshop also demonstrated that thinking together can be just as valuable as thinking individually. Listening to a friend, discovering alternative ways to solve a problem, or completing a task collaboratively are all foundational experiences that support not only cognitive but also social development. Such interactions create small yet meaningful spaces of balance against the increasingly individualizing nature of the digital world.

Ultimately, everything outlined here points to one essential truth: what children need is not more information, but a more balanced space for attention. Not more screens, but more meaningful interaction. Not more speed, but a slower pace that allows room for thinking. And perhaps most importantly, they need to experience this process not alone, but alongside someone else. Because a child’s mind is often restored most effectively when thinking happens together.

Reference:
The Loneliest Children of the Busiest Parents of Our Time: A Balanced Digital Life Study for Generation Alpha

Rebuilding a Child’s Focus in a World of Fragmented Attention yazısı ilk önce E-Adaptasyon üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

Led by Psychologist and Yeditepe HR Coordinator Alev Çolak, the workshop encouraged active participation through fun mental games, concentration-building exercises, and teamwork-oriented activities. Throughout the session, a dynamic learning environment was created to support not only cognitive development but also self-confidence, communication, and social interaction skills.

In today’s world, where children are constantly surrounded by intense digital stimulation and may struggle to maintain focus for extended periods, workshops like these play an important role in strengthening mental resilience. Through gamified exercises and interactive activities, children became more actively engaged in the learning process and had the opportunity to recognize and improve their thinking abilities. This experience emphasized not only the transfer of knowledge but also learning through active participation and experience.

From a parental perspective, this workshop provides an environment that contributes not only to children’s academic growth but also to essential life skills. Abilities such as attention management, patient thinking, analytical reasoning, and collaborative problem-solving help children develop stronger foundations both in school and in their social relationships. These gains support children in becoming more conscious and effective learners.

The experiences gained during the workshop also translate directly into real-life situations. Skills such as problem-solving, thoughtful decision-making, and effective collaboration within a group help children respond more positively and constructively to everyday challenges. In this regard, the Brain Exercise Workshop represents a valuable long-term contribution to both children’s mental and social development.

This interactive workshop, where children had the opportunity to both learn and enjoy themselves, once again highlighted SETAP’s sustainable and inclusive educational approach.

SETAP Week 8: Brain Exercise Workshop Successfully Completed! yazısı ilk önce E-Adaptasyon üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

As part of the SETAP (Sustainable Technological Adaptation Project), carried out in collaboration between Yeditepe University’s E-Commerce Department and Ataşehir Municipality, a special workshop will be held this week to both engage and support the development of our children in a fun and meaningful way.

Through the “Brain Exercise Workshop”, children will participate in interactive activities designed to support their attention, memory, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. In today’s world, where children are exposed to constant digital stimuli, maintaining focus and developing mental awareness have become increasingly important. This workshop aims to contribute to their cognitive and psychological development.

Led by Psychologist and HR Coordinator Alev Çolak, a faculty member of Yeditepe University, the event will include fun mental games, attention-enhancing activities, and teamwork-based exercises. The workshop is designed to encourage active participation from children while also strengthening their self-confidence, communication, and social interaction skills in an enjoyable learning environment.

Workshop Details:

Instructor: Alev Çolak – Psychologist, HR Coordinator / Yeditepe University
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Ferhatpaşa Ataevi SHM

To date, SETAP workshops have supported children in developing a balanced relationship with technology while encouraging them to think, create, and produce. In the coming periods, these workshops will continue with different themes and instructors.

What Theme Will Shape This Week’s SETAP Workshop? yazısı ilk önce E-Adaptasyon üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

In this special event, children experienced a unique and creative way of expressing their daily lives and emotions through art. Throughout the workshop, the children created personal collage pages reflecting their inner worlds, inspired by the idea of designing their own diaries. Using colorful papers, various textures, images, and everyday objects, these works allowed children to reveal both their imagination and their self-expression skills.

Each child designed a “diary page” carrying traces of their own life, combining their emotions, thoughts, and observations through a visual storytelling language. This process not only encouraged artistic production but also supported children in getting to know themselves better and becoming more aware of their inner worlds.

The collage-based activities carried out during the workshop strengthened the children’s ability to bring separate pieces together into a meaningful whole. This method contributed to both problem-solving and creative thinking skills, making the learning process more active and enjoyable.

The SETAP Workshops will continue to support children in developing production-oriented thinking within a technology-driven world while expanding their spaces for creative expression.

Our SETAP Week 7 “Dear Diary” Collage Workshop Has Taken Place yazısı ilk önce E-Adaptasyon üzerinde ortaya çıktı.