The Changing Faces of Violence
The most tragic reflections of this rupture are clearly visible in the lives of children living in conflict zones. According to UNICEF's 2024 data, approximately 468 million children worldwide are living in conflict areas. From Gaza to Sudan, from Myanmar to Ukraine, children struggle to survive under severe conflict conditions. Their limited access to basic education and healthcare, combined with the deep psychological distress they endure, severely hampers their development.
However, this issue is not confined to war zones alone. In the United States, as of 2021, firearms surpassed traffic accidents to become the leading cause of death among children and youth. In Turkey, the situation is more complex: In regions affected by poverty and social exclusion, children are often used and pushed into crime by organized crime groups—whether on the streets or through digital platforms.
Dr. Tüncer emphasizes that this process is not a choice, but a lack of alternatives:
“Children who are unseen, undervalued, and unheard are forced to adopt these structures as a form of belonging. Behind this so-called choice lie multifaceted factors such as social deprivation, cultural void, and public neglect. Violence thus becomes a dangerous refuge to fill the void children internalize.”
The Threats Born from Silence and Social Responsibility
Violence is no longer limited to physical assault or conflict; it now appears with far more insidious and complex faces. The threats children encounter in the digital world—online criminal networks, content that glorifies violence, and organized crime’s social media channels—pose deep and destructive risks.
The European Commission’s 2023 “Better Internet for Kids” report includes striking warnings on this matter.
Dr. Tüncer explains:
“Many parents believe that a child sitting silently at their computer is 'safe'. But that silence can be the very moment they join a digital crime network. The new language of violence is now written in silence. Moreover, with the reinforcement of cultural approval, children growing up in societies that applaud violence can easily reach for a weapon.”
Every child left in silence may seek different ways to be seen, heard, and to feel their existence. This situation carries the potential for societal collapse, beyond personal tragedies.
Dr. Tüncer offers the following solution:
“We do not need more cameras, more walls, or more punishment; we need more visibility, more relationships, and a fairer distribution system. The well-being of children requires a multi-layered responsibility: from families and educators to local governments and civil society organizations—everyone must be involved. Early intervention programs, psychosocial support services, equal opportunity in education, and increased digital literacy are concrete steps we can take against these threats. Because children do not belong to us—but we are responsible for their destiny. This social obligation must be our primary goal as it will shape the future structure of our society.”
Sources
(1) UNICEF. (2024). Children in Armed Conflict. https://www.unicef.org/children-under-attack
(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). FastStats: Leading Causes of Death. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
(3) European Commission. (2023). Better Internet for Kids Strategy. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/better-internet-kids
