Cyprus has joined the pilot project for the development of a secure and interoperable solution for verifying the age of internet users, a key initiative of the European Commission aimed at protecting minors from harmful digital content, particularly on social media, according to a statement by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

As noted, the decision was announced by the Deputy Minister, Nicodemos Damianou, during the Informal Telecommunications Council of the European Union (EU), held on Friday in Denmark. Protecting children online is not only a regulatory necessity but also a moral obligation for states, said the Deputy Minister, adding that it is time to focus on the mechanisms to implement it.

“Today, our children remain essentially unprotected,” he stressed, adding that they are exposed daily to harmful, addictive, and often illegal content, with serious consequences for their mental health, well-being, and learning progress,” he said.

“The Cypriot government considers it necessary to set a ‘digital age limit’, a clear age below which access to social networks and other digital services is not permitted, and this is something we are seriously considering at the national level,” he added.

According to the Deputy Minister, Cyprus’ participation in this pilot European programme reflects the country’s political will to promote a coherent, common protection policy at the EU level. “The protection of minors on the internet is a particularly sensitive and topical issue, and will continue to be a top priority during Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU”, stressed Damianou.

Within the framework of the Council, a Ministerial Declaration was also signed supporting the evaluation of the introduction of a Digital Age of Majority, the implementation of age verification mechanisms, and the establishment of standards for safe digital environments, calling for coordinated efforts to create a safe and appropriate digital environment for minors, the statement concludes.

Source: Parikiaki.com