Newsroom
A new survey has raised alarms over the growing dependence on digital devices among adolescents in Cyprus, with nearly half of young people reporting constant online contact. Conducted between November 2021 and April 2022, the survey found that 43% of adolescents in Cyprus are frequently online—leading to concerns about the potential for digital addiction, especially among girls and teens from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
The survey, which involved 4,818 students from 212 public and private schools, reveals that 34% of adolescents stay in touch online with close friends, while 15% engage with friends from the broader community, and 8% connect with people they’ve met online but don’t know personally. In addition, 19% maintain regular contact with family members, including parents and siblings.
Alarmingly, the survey found that 13% of adolescents in Cyprus reported problematic use of digital devices—higher than the global average of 11%. The issue is particularly pronounced among girls, with 17% reporting problematic use compared to 10% of boys. Additionally, 13-year-olds showed the highest rate of problematic usage at 15%.
The WHO has outlined recommendations to address these issues, including tailored programs for children before they acquire mobile phones or begin gaming, and training for parents and educators to spot signs of digital addiction. The organization also stressed the importance of monitoring usage patterns and evaluating current policies to ensure they are effectively addressing the digital habits of young people.
In response to the survey findings, Cyprus’ Ministry of Education has committed to using the data to improve health promotion efforts within the education system and design better policies to help manage the growing concern over screen time.
