ISTANBUL — Who raises the children I ask? The environment or history? Temperament or culture? Family or school? It seems this front is the scene of a constant battle of ideas.

For now you can answer this question by saying: "Children are raised by several factors."

Among them is the media and newspapers. Perhaps children who become literate by reading newspapers are a thing of the past. It may be so but newspapers are still an integral part of our everyday life.

Therefore, children are exposed to the language and photographs used in the newspapers. This no doubt affects them. Therefore several guidelines should be considered by print media outlets:

We should not forget that newspapers are within the reach of today's children. We should write our news and articles accordingly, as well as use photographs carefully.

Regardless of good intentions, some news aimed at children may result in negative effects. Those who are responsible for such news should be experts in communication with children.

When news is prepared or presented, which leads to child exploitation, whether directly or indirectly, it is unacceptable. Child sensitive printing should be the norm.

News about children should be prepared in accordance with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child and ethical principles established by foundations such as UNICEF and UNESCO.

Rather than focusing exclusively on news with negative connotations, journalists should also try to affect children positively.

Daily Sabah is committed to promoting family values. Family comprises not only the mothers and fathers but also children. Kids are the future of the family. They are also the future of the media. They will become the journalists and the readers in the days to come. If we strive to promote better written media, we should not ignore the youngest members of society and act on these principles.