Better Internet for Kids

The conference and workshop

On Tuesday, 6 February 2024, a conference titled Together for a better internet was organised by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, with the support of other partners of the Cyprus Safer Internet Centre (CyberSafety and the National Strategy for a Better Internet for Children in Cyprus). The conference was attended by students from primary, secondary general and secondary technical, vocational education and training, and teachers from all over Cyprus.

In a brief welcome address, the Deputy Director of the Pedagogical Institute, Elena Hadjikakou, stressed the importance of empowering teachers, children and parents for the safe use of the internet and the development of digital skills; a task that is carried out through the Pedagogical Institute. The Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athena Michaelidou, in her address, said that digital education and the modernisation of our educational system, through the integration of new technologies in teaching and learning, and the development of digital skills of teachers, students and pupils, are a key objective of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth and the government programme.

SID activities in Cyprus stressed the importance of the development of digital skills

This was followed by interesting presentations, discussions and an interactive workshop on safe and responsible internet use. More specifically, Christina Papasolomontos, Coordinator of the Cyprus Safer Internet Centre, presented the Centre's activities. The workshop continued with a keynote speech by Dimitra Milionis, Associate Professor, and Theodoros Kouros, Lecturer at the Cyprus University of Technology, on the topic Hey, Alexa, what am I?

Youth panellists were involved in panel discussions

Afterwards, participants had the opportunity to attend a roundtable discussion. During the discussion, the Professor at Neapolis University Savvas Hadjichristofis, Associate Professor Demetra Milioni, Lecturer Theodoros Kouros at the Cyprus University of Technology, and Officer at the Office of the Commissioner for Children's Rights, Tonia Siambtani, made statements and answered questions submitted by members of the CYberSafety Youth Panel.

This was followed by a presentation of the actions of the CYberSafety Youth Panel. The session ended with the interactive workshop, News-feed live, presented by actors Polyxeni Savvas, Elena Kallinikou, and Dimitris Chimonas.

Aiming to strengthen efforts for creative and safe use of the internet, the workshop contributed to raising awareness and information on the proper use of the internet, thus empowering teachers and students to become critical-thinking citizens in the digital society and to develop a positive attitude towards the use of the internet.
 

Other SID actions and initiatives

Throughout the day, a variety of engaging activities and initiatives were organised to educate and empower individuals of all ages. These included:

• School workshops. Interactive workshops were conducted in schools, covering topics such as cyberbullying prevention, privacy protection, and critical thinking skills for online content.
• Community events. Local community events brought together individuals and organisations to discuss online safety issues and share best practices for promoting digital citizenship.
• Online campaigns. Social media campaigns and online resources were created to reach a wider audience and encourage positive online behaviours.

The impact of SID 2024

The impact of this year’s SID was evident in various ways:

• Increased awareness: the event reached a huge number of individuals, raising awareness about the importance of online safety and digital literacy.
• Empowered communities: participants gained valuable insights and practical skills to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
• Collaborative partnerships: SID fostered collaboration among stakeholders, including schools, government agencies, NGOs, and industry partners, to work towards a common goal of a safer internet.

Best practices and lessons learned

• The importance of education: providing education and resources on online safety is crucial for empowering individuals to make informed decisions online.
• Collaboration is key: building partnerships and engaging stakeholders from diverse backgrounds are essential for creating a comprehensive approach to online safety.
• Ongoing engagement: online safety efforts should be continuous and evolving to address emerging threats and challenges in the digital landscape.

In conclusion, Safer Internet Day 2024 was a testament to the collective efforts and commitment towards creating a safer and more inclusive online environment. By working together, we can continue to promote digital well-being and ensure that the internet remains a positive and empowering space for all.

You can find further information about the SID activities in Cyprus on the dedicated webpage or on its Safer Internet Day webpage. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the Cyprus Safer Internet Centre, more generally.