The Cabinet has approved an Action Plan for the Protection of Minors on Social Media, services that operate as social media and platforms where users create profiles, publish content and interact publicly.
This is considered to be a particularly important decision, through which the Government has moved from the identification of a significant social challenge to a specific and comprehensive framework of action to effectively address it.
The data clearly captures the magnitude and urgency of the challenge, including the following examples:
98% of young people in Cyprus actively use social media – the highest percentage in the European Union (EU). However, they are low performers in critical information evaluation skills.
Data from international organisations show that increased use of social media is associated with addictive behavior, neglect of other activities, conflicts with the familiar environment, and other negative impacts on everyday life.
International experience demonstrates that the protection of minors online can no longer be based solely on the self-regulation of platforms or the individual responsibility of young people or parents.
The Action Plan is based on three main pillars:
The first pillar concerns the establishment of a "digital age of adulthood" at the national level. In its decision, the Cabinet proposes the establishment of 15 years as the minimum age limit, below which access to Social Media will not be permitted.
The relevant Bill will be put out for public consultation in the immediate future, with the aim of being submitted for a vote in the House of Representatives next December. Based on the bill, the main responsibility for compliance will lie with the platforms themselves, who will be obliged to install reliable age verification mechanisms, with the integration of the proposed European solution when it is finalised.
At the same time, and before the finalisation of the bill, a Child Rights Impact Assessment will be carried out regarding the proposed age limit, as well as a public consultation through the 'Voice of the Citizen' platform, as well as an organized dialogue with youth organizations and competent bodies.
The second pillar concerns the development of a digital age verification mechanism, based on the technical solution proposed by the European Commission (EU Age Verification Blueprint). The mechanism will be integrated within the next year into the 'Digital Citizen' application, through which the user will be able to prove that he meets the required age limit, without sharing other personal data.
The third pillar focuses on education and awareness-raising of society: children, parents and teachers. It provides, among other things:
The gradual restructuring of curricula at all levels of education with modules that will concern the safe and creative use of the internet, as well as the updating of the curriculum of Computer Science courses in Secondary and Technical Education.
The training of all teachers in the use of the internet in a safe and creative manner, the specialised training of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training teachers, as well as the training of Counseling and Vocational Education Teachers to integrate relevant issues into the pedagogical and counseling interventions that are carried out.
The implementation of targeted campaigns, workshops and workshops to inform and raise awareness among students, parents and teachers on issues of protecting minors online, emerging risks and responsible use of digital technologies.
Finally, the Action Plan requires further study for the permanent and long-term operation of the Safer Internet Center's services, as well as the creation of mechanisms for reporting and dealing with relevant incidents.
The success of this effort requires the cooperation of everyone: the State, the educational community, parents and civil society, as well as the digital platforms themselves, which are called upon to implement substantive and effective measures to protect children.
For the Government, the safety, rights and well-being of every child are a non-negotiable priority.
The Action Plan is a dynamic plan, the implementation of which will be monitored and updated based on technological developments, as well as initiatives developed at the European level. We are moving forward immediately and consistently with its implementation, so that every child can exploit the possibilities of the digital world with safety, knowledge and substantial protection.
(Source: Reporter)
