Cyprus Safer Internet Centre

Location

Nicosia, Cyprus

Website

https://www.cybersafety.cy

About the organisation

The Cyprus Safer Internet Centre (SIC) - CYberSafety, building on European funding as part of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) project, aims to strengthen the efforts for the creative and safe use of the internet in Cyprus. Focusing on upcoming needs regarding internet technology, on a national and European level, the centre promotes cooperation between national stakeholders aiming to create a Cyber Security culture. It has also developed and promoted the National Strategy for Better Internet for Kids in Cyprus.

The team of the European project Cyprus Safer Internet Centre - CYberSafety (2018-2020) includes eight partners:

  • Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth
  • Digital Security Authority (DSA)
  • University of Cyprus (UCY)
  • Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
  • Pancyprian School for Parents (PSP)
  • Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute (CNTI)
  • Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA)
  • epic Ltd

The Cyprus Safer Internet Centre - CYberSafety operates under the coordination of the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth as part of the Better Internet for Kids project (Action No: 2018-CY-IA-0012), which is co-funded by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

Profile last reviewed: May 2020

Awareness centre

Description:

The awareness centre aims to create a culture among children, parents and teachers to take advantage of the benefits of the internet with safe, responsible and ethical use. The awareness centre will continue the existing work that is taking place in Cyprus, update and enrich the digital content and resources already developed, enhance existing services and tools deployed and extend collaborations and synergies among stakeholders.

Presentations, lectures and workshops

Aiming to educate and raise awareness regarding the responsible and safe use of the internet, the European project ‘Cyprus Safer Internet Centre - CYberSafety – Better Internet for Kids', in collaboration with all partners, offers presentations, lectures and workshops for students, teachers and parents.

To arrange a presentation/lecture/workshop with a partner of the ‘CYberSafety – Better Internet for Kids' project, schools can visit and register their interest on the following web platform of the programme http://workshops.internetsafety.pi.ac.cy.

Web portal ‘Internet Safety'

The European project ‘Cyprus Safer Internet Centre - CYberSafety – Better Internet for Kids' maintains a web portal for raising awareness where stakeholders can find resources and tools, and also share valuable experience and good practices regarding the responsible and safe exploitation of digital technologies.

The web portal at http://internetsafety.pi.ac.cy includes a repository of rich educational/informative material, resources and tools for children, adolescents, teachers and parents to exploit digital technologies. At the same time, this portal provides ongoing information on issues regarding digital technology and its use in Cyprus.

Email address: cybersafety@cyearn.pi.ac.cy
Website: https://internetsafety.pi.ac.cy
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/internetSafetyCy
https://twitter.com/CYberSafetyCY
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi7UsCg5wW9IMWr8t7QxT3w

Helpline

Description:

Helpline 1480 (https://www.cybersafety.cy/helpline) aims to ensure that all users will receive expert advice and support in real time regarding issues about the use of digital technologies and the internet.

Helpline 1480 also provides advice and support on issues such as:

  • Cyberbullying
  • Excessive use of the internet
  • Grooming
  • Social media problems (e.g. fake profiles, account violations, inappropriate and harmful content)

Helpline 1480 have established direct connections with competent bodies in Cyprus (e.g. Cyber Crime Unit) and abroad (e.g. social networking) to ensure the appropriate procedures and steps are followed.

Helpline 1480 is part of the European helpline network Insafe.

Email address: 1480helpline@cyearn.pi.ac.cy
Website: https://www.cybersafety.cy/helpline
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/1480HelplineandHotline

Hotline

Description:

Hotline 1480 (https://www.cybersafety.cy/hotline) offers a direct, easily accessible and responsible point of contact for users to report illegal content or actions on the internet.

Hotline 1480 services handle public information related to:

  • content of child sexual abuse (e.g. photos)
  • racist and xenophobic material that violates the law
  • anything considered illegal

Hotline 1480 have established direct connections with competent bodies in Cyprus (e.g. Cyber Crime Unit) and abroad (e.g. social networking) to ensure the appropriate procedures and steps are followed.

Hotline 1480 is part of the international hotline network INHOPE.

Email address: 1480hotline@cyearn.pi.ac.cy
Website: https://www.cybersafety.cy/hotline
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/1480HelplineandHotline

Youth participation

Description:

The CYberSafety Youth Panel of Cyprus, which operates as part of the European project ‘Cyprus Safer Internet Centre - CYberSafety – Better Internet for Kids', aims to enable knowledge and experience sharing among participants, make suggestions and take actions regarding the creative and safe use of digital technologies and the internet.

At the same time, the CYberSafety Youth Panel members act as ambassadors of best practices and actions, aiming to create innovative sources and disseminate messages about the safe use of the internet to their peers and other groups involved.

The CYberSafety Youth Panel is composed of:

  • Members of the Cyprus Children's Parliament, coordinated by the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children (PCCPWC)
  • Members of the Teenage Advisors' Group of the Commissioner for Children's Rights
  • Students from the ‘Little Explorers of the Internet' programme, coordinated by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute
  • Students from the ‘EduWeb Cyprus' programme, coordinated by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute

Youth panel logo of the Cyprus Safer Internet Centre

Website: https://www.cybersafety.cy/youth-panel

Key successes

The Cyprus Safer Internet Centre - CYberSafety has a strong consortium with important stakeholders as partners, supported by a wider group on the National Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids in Cyprus, which serves as the Advisory Board.

Successful programmes include: