Expert warns: Emotional trust is key to ensuring child safety

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, TURKEY —  Child safety cannot be achieved through physical measures alone; it requires a supportive environment where children feel secure enough to express emotions and share risky situations with their families.

According to Elif Türel, Head of the Department of Child Care and Youth Services at Istanbul Rumeli University, child protection must be handled through a combination of emotional trust, healthy communication, personal boundary awareness, and digital literacy. Türel emphasizes that safety is a societal responsibility rather than just an individual parental concern, requiring proactive strategies to identify and mitigate risks before they manifest.

The foundation of emotional trust

A family environment where a child’s needs are met and their feelings are validated forms the basis of a protective approach. Türel notes that when a child experiences a secure relationship at home, they feel no need to keep secrets from their parents and become more open about sharing their experiences.

Supporting self-protection through communication

The quality of family communication plays a decisive role in a child's safety. Parents are advised to listen to their children without judgment and to accept their emotions as they are. Türel warns that punitive or fear-based communication styles can lead children to hide the problems they encounter. Instead, regular daily conversations and shared activities help establish the family as a reliable first point of contact for the child in times of trouble.

Early education on personal boundaries

Teaching children about personal boundaries is a critical component of safety education. Türel states that children must be taught that their bodies belong to them, that they have the right to say "no" to situations that make them uncomfortable, and that they should ask for help when facing a disturbing event. Because children in the 0–6 age group often struggle to interpret the events they experience, it is vital to provide age-appropriate personal boundary education using a language that does not instill fear.

Guidance over prohibition in digital safety

In the modern era, a child's living space extends into digital environments, which present both learning opportunities and new risks. Türel suggests that parents should accompany their children’s digital experiences rather than simply banning access.

• Parents should choose age-appropriate content.

• Screen time should be limited under parental guidance.

• Children must be taught never to share personal information.

• Children should know not to communicate with strangers online.

• Children should be encouraged to report disturbing content to a trusted adult immediately.

According to Türel, informative and guiding attitudes are far more effective in ensuring digital safety than restrictive approaches.

A consistent approach to safety

Child safety should not only be discussed during times of crisis but should be supported during every moment of daily life. A consistent parenting style where the child feels valued and supported serves both a protective and preventive function. Türel concludes that ensuring the safety of children is a shared responsibility among families and all stakeholders in society.

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