Digital Inequalities Discussed at Kadıköy Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School

Dr. Tugay Sarıkaya, a faculty member at Istinye University Faculty of Communication, met with students at Kadıköy Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School TÜBİTAK Science Talks. The session, which lasted approximately one hour, focused on digital inequalities from multiple perspectives.
Throughout the talk, Sarıkaya emphasized that digital inequality is not limited to access to devices or the internet, but also includes the ability to use digital tools effectively, critically, and meaningfully. Discussions with students covered access to digital resources, ways of engaging with information, digital literacy, and the broader impact of technology on education.
Highlighting the importance of addressing these issues at the high school level, Sarıkaya stated:
“Digital inequality is not only about having access to a device or the internet. What matters more is whether young people can use these technologies under equal conditions, with awareness and critical understanding.”
He also underlined the significance of engaging with these topics early on:
“It is crucial to discuss these issues in high school, because young people grow up at the center of the digital world. However, being close to digital technologies does not necessarily mean benefiting from them equally.”
The talk also addressed digital literacy as a broader social competency rather than merely a technical skill.
“Helping students recognize digital inequalities at an early stage is essential for both understanding their own experiences and thinking about a more equitable digital future,” Sarıkaya noted.
The event attracted strong interest and active participation from students. The school administration’s openness to collaboration with higher education institutions also stood out, with potential future initiatives including laboratory sessions, workshops, and joint educational activities.
Istinye University continues to engage with younger audiences through public outreach and educational initiatives, contributing to the dissemination of academic knowledge beyond the university setting.