Safeguarding the Family Against Disinformation and Digital Threats: Awareness and Security in Communication

Abstract

This article examines communication-based strategies to protect families against disinformation and cyber threats in the digital age. Shaped by quantitative and qualitative data, the research analyzes the psychological, economic, and social impacts of misinformation on families (TUIK, 2024; WHO, 2023), demonstrating how risks can be mitigated through media literacy, personal data security, and intra-family dialogue mechanisms. The study's methodology relies on a systematic analysis of statistics and case studies derived from recent reports by TUIK, BTK, and the Ministry of Family and Social Services (ASHB), in addition to a literature review.

The findings prove that digital resilience can only be achieved through the integration of intra-family trust, intergenerational learning, and public policies. The research reveals that disinformation reduces the quality of family communication by 45% (Counts et al., 2023), yet also shows that families with media literacy training and open dialogue mechanisms significantly improve their ability to cope with these threats. The article offers concrete recommendations for families, such as "source analysis," "digital family agreements," and "emergency response protocols," while also aiming to guide policymakers in curriculum development and regulatory frameworks. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the necessity of strengthening family communication and adopting a culture of continuous learning to establish a proactive line of defense against digital threats.