Better Internet for Kids

Here, we take an in-depth look at the latest monitoring information for Cyprus.

According to the Digital Decade 2025: Country reports, Cyprus is characterised as a "strong Innovator" with the fastest-growing start-up hub in the EU, though it faces a persistent gap in technology adoption among smaller firms. While SME digital intensity is advancing, AI uptake remains below the EU average, prompting the appointment of a dedicated AI taskforce to strengthen research and practical applications. A major strength lies in its digital infrastructure, though there are significant digital skills challenges. Just 49.46% of the population possesses basic digital skills, and the share of ICT specialists is at 5.0%. Public services and e-health access are also below the EU average, despite ongoing commitments to improvement. According to the State of the Digital Decade Eurobarometer 2025, public sentiment is generally positive toward digitalisation, yet there is a strong demand for online safety, with 96% of citizens urging the government to protect children from the negative impacts of social media and to implement age verification mechanisms. Strategically, Cyprus has updated its National Digital Decade roadmap to align with EU 2030 goals, adding new targets for the sector.

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Cyprus.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.[BON1] 

BIK policies

This concerns how national-level policies relevant to the BIK agenda are organised, managed, and supported by evidence and stakeholder input.

Policy frameworks

Policy frameworks describe the overarching goals that shape policies for a better internet for kids. 

In Cyprus:

• This topic is being comprehensively addressed in national/regional laws, regulations and policies. 
• There are separate, dedicated policies which address the topic of children and the digital environment. 
• The BIK+ strategy is very important in national policies on children and the digital environment and is explicitly referenced in national policies. 
• National/regional policies and policy documents explicitly recognise children's rights in the digital environment.

Policy design

Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.

In Cyprus:

• Quantitative data on some aspects of children’s digital activity is collected regularly as part of broader surveys. 
• Surveys of children’s experiences of risks, harms and digital well-being are undertaken on an ad-hoc and irregular basis. 
• Systems are in place at the government level to gather information on children and the digital environment. 
• Existing regular national research funding is available for research on children and the digital environment, but this is not explicitly specified. 
• Policies undergo systematic and regular monitoring and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of actions in different contexts. 

Policy governance

Policy governance examines how policies are coordinated at the governmental level, whether other implementation bodies are involved in their delivery and coordination.

In Cyprus:

• One central body is officially mandated to lead and develop policies, guidelines, and programmes relating to children and the digital environment, consulting with other departments as needed. 
• A clearly defined, formal coordination mechanism exists (e.g., task force, steering committee) with a clear mandate. 
• There is a defined national action plan on children and the digital environment with accountabilities such as defined timelines, assigned responsibilities or key performance indicators (KPIs).

Stakeholder involvement

Stakeholder involvement enquires how different stakeholders can participate in policy development.

In Cyprus:

• Stakeholders are involved through various existing groups or platforms across different government branches. 
• Public consultation occurs, but it is irregular, infrequent, or limited in scope. 
• Children are listened to directly in the policy development process but are not formally involved in decision-making.

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Cyprus.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.[BON2] 

BIK+ actions

Pillar 1 – safe digital experiences

Safe digital experiences refer to actions taken to protect children from harmful and illegal online content, conduct, contact, and risks as young consumers and to improve their well-being online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment created in a way that respects children’s best interests.

Table 1: Safe digital experiences - Cyprus

Pillar 2 – Digital empowerment

Digital empowerment involves actions that ensure all children, including those in vulnerable situations, acquire the necessary skills and competences to make sound choices and to express themselves safely and responsibly in the online environment.

Table 2: Digital empowerment - Cyprus

Pillar 3 – Active participation, respecting children’s rights

This includes actions that promote young people's active participation and respect for their rights through such activities as fostering innovative and creative safe digital experiences for young people and ensuring they have a say in policies governing the digital environment

Table 3: Active participation, respecting rights - Cyprus

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Cyprus.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.[BON3] 

BIK+ index 2026: Cyprus

The BIK+ index has been developed to provide an aggregated at-a-glance overview of the levels of implementation across the two dimensions, BIK policies and BIK+ actions, in Cyprus compared to the EU27+2 average. Values are shown in per cent.

Figure 1: BIK+ index 2026: Cyprus - EU27+2 average comparison

Please note, the data used in this page and the corresponding country profile was collected inJanuary 2026.