The importance of teaching cybersecurity principles in schools, alongside calls for a national strategy on the issue, was discussed on Wednesday at the House Education Committee following a proposal put forth by Disy MP Savia Orphanidou.
Orphanidou said cybersecurity is one of the fundamental pillars of the digital age and is directly linked to the protection of citizens, particularly young people.
Internet addition
“We know that internet use unfortunately begins at a very young age,” she said. “There is therefore an urgent need to strengthen digital education and foster a culture of online safety from the earliest stages of schooling.”
She warned that a range of problems stem from the issue, including internet addiction among children, bullying, sexual harassment and youth delinquency.
Orphanidou also pointed to a legislative proposal by Fotini Tsiridou to introduce a dedicated school subject on cybersecurity and safe internet use, adding that “we will insist on this”.
Prevention is key
Giorgos Christopoulos, from the Police Cybercrime Sub-Directorate, stressed the importance of prevention, noting that “if effective prevention is in place, cases will not reach us”.
He said the unit’s main responsibility is the investigation of criminal offences, but it also takes part in prevention initiatives, including lectures and workshops. In 2025, he added, 117 complaints relating to cyberbullying had been reported for investigation.
A representative of the Deputy Ministry of Research and Innovation said authorities want to play an active role in strengthening cybersecurity, stressing that education must be continuous and year-round.
A representative of the Ministry of Education said cybersecurity is already included within broader policies, with a focus on responsible use of technology and developing students’ critical thinking skills.
Gang-like groups
Meanwhile, the president of Women4Cyber Cyprus stressed the need for both prevention and education in cybersecurity.
A representative of the Cyprus Safer Internet Centre said the organisation aims to raise awareness and provide information on safe internet use, offering programmes and seminars each year.
Concerns were also raised by a representative of POED, who said one of the biggest challenges is parents’ inability to monitor children online.
“Through the internet and mobile phones, even at primary school level we are seeing the emergence of groups behaving like gangs,” the representative said, adding that the scale of incidents is “remarkable”.