Cypriot cycling champion Antria Christoforou rides for online safety

In Cyprus, in the framework of a Helpline and Hotline 1480 promotional campaign, Olympic athlete Antri Christoforou "enjoys her online routes with safety and responsibility", sending an awareness-raising message to children, adolescents and parents on the ethical and safe use of the internet. 

Date 2018-10-31 Author Cypriot Safer Internet Centre
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Antria Christoforou, a cycling champion and member of the Cypriot Olympic team, serves as an outstanding example in the Helpline and Hotline 1489 promotional campaign, combining authentic athletic talent, personality, ethos, and determination.

On Safer Internet Day (SID) 2018, the short version of the video "Enjoy your online routes with safety and responsibility" was presented for the first time. In September 2018, a longer version of the video was released, aiming to convey the message to parents, children and adolescents that the internet is an integral part of our lives, being a valuable source of knowledge and an important gateway tool for information, communication and entertainment. In the absence of meaningful information and communication, however, the use of the internet may lead to serious challenges, especially for children and adolescents.

In the video scenario, during her journey on the internet, Antria has the opportunity to experience and enjoy the potential of internet technologies for communication, information and entertainment. However, she encounters significant dangers, which, having been equipped with the appropriate knowledge and information, she overcomes vigorously and effectively, choosing efficient and correct approaches. In particular, during her online journey, Antria is initially a victim of cyberbullying, choosing, though, to ignore and block the perpetrator thereby undermining the voice of intimidation. Then she is confronted with misleading messages, but she chooses not to be fooled by them and not to provide any personal information and data. Continuing her online journey, Antria interacts with an unknown "online friend", who attempts in vain to seduce her, since Antria knows very well that she cannot trust unknown online profiles. Finally, by playing games or chatting on social networking sites, Antria spends endless hours on the internet. However, her friends' call makes her realise that she should use the internet and digital technologies with moderation.

Helpline 1480 aims to ensure that all users receive advice and support from qualified operators, in real time, on issues related to the use of digital technologies (such as cyberbullying, internet addiction and grooming). Hotline 1480 offers a direct, easily accessible and responsible point of contact for users, so that they can report illegal online content or actions (such as materials depicting child sexual abuse, and racist or xenophobic material).

All citizens can contact Helpline 1480 and Hotline 1480 free of charge, by dialling 1480 between 9:00 and 21:00 from Monday until Friday, or between 10:30 and 18:00 on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. People can also send emails to the helpline (1480helpline@cyearn.pi.ac.cy) or to the hotline (1480hotline@cyearn.pi.ac.cy), complete an online form, or chat via https://www.cybersafety.cy/helpline and https://www.cybersafety.cy/hotline.

Watch the promotional video here. For more information, read the article of the Cypriot SIC.

Find out more information about the work of the Cypriot Safer Internet Centre generally, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services, or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.

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