Govt proposes national strategy to protect children from digital media risks

A national strategy to limit the impact of digital media on the health of children aged up to 18 was called for by the health ministry on Monday. Presenting the plan, Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said the strategy aims to support families and strengthen cooperation between relevant services. He said decisions must rest on scientific knowledge, separating what has been documented from what remains under investigation. “We also need to examine the effects of technology on everyday life, relationships and children’s health,” he said. The first axis provides for a ministerial advisory committee which would help set common criteria for the suitability and benefit of digital applications and games. The second axis covers research and monitoring to give a fuller picture of how children in Cyprus use digital media. Charalambides said this would allow the government to “set priorities, evaluate measures and adapt them to new data”. The third would bring the digital aspect of health into routine childcare, linking it with the mental health strategy and adding relevant issues to school-based monitoring. Charalambides said protecting children requires rules on the appropriateness of content and the safeguarding of personal data.