Newsroom
The government has proposed setting 15 as the minimum age for social media access in Cyprus, following approval of a new action plan by the Council of Ministers aimed at protecting children and teenagers online.
Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nikodemos Damianou said the proposal marks the Government's response to the growing role of social media in young people's lives. The plan covers online platforms where users create profiles, share content and interact publicly.
The proposed age restriction will be included in legislation that is expected to go to public consultation shortly. The Government plans to submit the bill to the House of Representatives for a vote in December.
Under the proposal, social media companies would carry the main responsibility for enforcing the age limit. Platforms would have to introduce reliable systems for checking users' ages, with Cyprus also planning to incorporate a European age-verification solution once it is finalised.
Digital check without extra personal data
A separate part of the plan involves creating a digital age-verification system based on the European Commission's EU Age Verification Blueprint.
The system is expected to be incorporated into the Digital Citizen application during the coming year. Users would be able to prove that they meet the required age without handing over additional personal information.
Before the legislation is finalised, the Government will also conduct a Child Rights Impact Assessment examining the proposed age threshold. Public consultation will take place through the Citizen's Voice platform, alongside discussions with youth organisations and other relevant groups.
Cyprus records highest EU youth social media use
Damianou said 98 per cent of young people in Cyprus actively use social media, giving the country the highest reported rate in the European Union.
The Government also points to difficulties among young people in assessing and evaluating information online. International research cited by the Deputy Minister links heavy social media use with patterns such as addictive behaviour, reduced engagement in other activities, conflicts with family or people around them, and disruption to everyday life.
The Government's approach is therefore not limited to restricting access. The action plan also places significant emphasis on helping children, parents and teachers understand online risks and use digital platforms responsibly.
Schools to receive new digital safety measures
The education element will include changes to school curricula at different levels, with new material on safe and creative internet use. Information Technology courses in secondary and technical education will also be updated.
Teachers will receive training on safe and creative use of online services, while specialised programmes will be offered to educators in secondary technical and vocational education and training.
Counselling and Career Guidance teachers will also be trained to incorporate online safety and related issues into their educational and counselling work.
The Government plans to organise information campaigns, workshops and awareness events for students, parents and teachers covering the protection of minors online, emerging digital risks and responsible use of technology.
The action plan also calls for further work on the long-term operation of Cyprus' Safer Internet Centre and the establishment of systems for reporting and responding to incidents involving minors online.
Damianou said implementation will be reviewed as technology changes and as new European initiatives are introduced.
He added that protecting children's safety, rights and wellbeing remains a Government priority, while the success of the plan will depend on cooperation between public authorities, schools, parents, civil society and social media companies.
