Better Internet for Kids

On Tuesday, 11 February 2025, Cyprus joined the global movement for a safer digital world by celebrating Safer Internet Day (SID) under the theme “Together for a better internet.” Organised by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth, in collaboration with CyberSafety partners, the event engaged students, educators, and parents from across the country. Through dynamic presentations, interactive workshops, and creative competitions, SID 2025 successfully promoted digital literacy, online safety, and responsible digital citizenship.  

Engaging youth through interactive learning 

The Safer Internet Day 2025 event was a cornerstone of the celebration, offering an engaging and educational experience for students of all ages. The event was held at the Amphitheater of Latsia Lyceum and the "Sotiris Messios" athletic center in Nicosia, and was structured in two key segments:  

• Secondary school students attended a powerful presentation by the CyberSafety Youth Panel, while primary school students participated in interactive activity stations.  
• In the second half of the day, primary students attended a presentation and secondary school students participated in interactive activity stations, ensuring all students had the opportunity to both learn from expert-led presentations and engage in hands-on digital safety activities.  

CyberSafety youth panel: Empowering youth for a safer digital world

The CyberSafety Youth Panel played a leading role in SID 2025, showcasing their national and European-level initiatives, including their participation in the Better Internet for Kids youth panel. Their interactive session for secondary school students addressed critical online safety topics such as: gender toxicity online, inappropriate content, sexting and sextortion  

By fostering open discussions, the members of the youth panel emphasised the collective responsibility of young people in shaping a safer and more inclusive digital environment.  

For primary school students, Mr. Andreas Andreou, a certified analyst from InHope, delivered an insightful presentation on digital gaming habits. He explored both the benefits and risks of digital gaming, covering topics like online grooming, excessive gaming, scams, and gambling, while promoting healthy and balanced gaming practices.  

• Hands-on learning at interactive activity stations
• In parallel, students and educators explored interactive activity stations set up by the CyberSafety center’s partners. These stations covered key digital literacy topics, including:  
• Artificial intelligence in daily life (Open University of Cyprus)  
• Phishing awareness (Digital Security Authority)  
• Digital footprints & Safe digital navigation (Safer Internet Center – Cyprus Pedagogical Institute)  
• CyberSafety youth panel initiatives (Youth Panel)  
• Sexting, grooming & cyberbullying awareness (PAVIS – Cyprus Pedagogical Institute)  
• GDPR & digital footprint learning games (University of Cyprus)  
• Safety in social media (Cyprus University of Technology)  
• Fake news & misinformation (Fact Check Cyprus)  
• Gender-related misinformation on social media (Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies)  
• Internet safety in general (RISC)  

These hands-on activities provided students with practical skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world responsibly.  

Creativity for a cause: Student-led video production contest

A highlight of SID 2025 was the 14th annual “CyberSafety video contest”. This competition challenged students to produce live-action or animated short films focused on online safety and responsible digital behaviour.  

• 25 student teams participated, crafting compelling narratives on themes such as fighting online violence and bullying, combating hate speech and racism, addressing misinformation, and protecting personal data.  
• The 15 best entries (4 from primary schools and 11 from secondary and technical schools) advanced to the final round, where students presented their work to an evaluation panel and audience.  
• Six teams received awards, while all participants were recognised for their efforts in raising awareness about internet safety through creative storytelling. The contest not only fostered media literacy and digital skills but also empowered students to become advocates for a safer online environment.  

Extending the impact: School-based activities across Cyprus

Beyond the central SID event, schools across Cyprus actively participated in the celebration of this day by organising educational initiatives, including:  

• Workshops on privacy protection, cyberbullying, and digital literacy  
• Interactive presentations by cybersecurity experts  
• Parental awareness programs to help families navigate online risks  
• Competitions and creative projects focused on internet safety  

Through these activities, more than 80 workshops were conducted, reaching approximately 3,000 students, 180 teachers, and 300 parents. This widespread participation highlighted the commitment of Cyprus' education community to fostering responsible and informed digital citizens.  

Conclusion: A safer, smarter digital future  

Safer Internet Day 2025 in Cyprus was a resounding success, uniting students, educators, parents, and policymakers in the collective effort to build a better and safer digital world. By combining education, creativity, and community engagement, SID 2025 empowered young people with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital world responsibly. As we look ahead, the momentum gained from these initiatives will continue to shape a positive and secure online environment for future generations.

#TogetherWeCan create a safer internet for all!

Learn more about Safer Internet Day activities in Cyprus on their SID page on our platform!

Further information about the Cyprus Safer Internet Centre can be found on the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) public portal, including links to its national websites and other contact information. Similar information can be found on the BIK portal for all Safer Internet Centres in Europe.