Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline

The Helpline 7000 0 116 started functioning in Cyprus in 2009. Children, adolescents and adults, by referring to the Safer Internet Helpline have the opportunity talking with expert operators in case they experienced something negative while they were surfing on the Internet. Trained operators provide support and essential advice so that the crisis is overcame and the situation is confronted with. It is essential for the helpline to inform people who refer to the helpline that the communication is completely confidential and anonymous. The need for an operation of a Helpline has been stressed by the European Committee, which supports the idea that the increasing rhythm of use of the Internet is disproportionate as far as the correct use and the moral education of using it is concerned. Consequently, a lot of children come into contact with pages containing inappropriate content or individuals who want to exploit them. Such cases usually cause fear and intensity, which needs equitable confrontation. The Helpline functions under the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute (CNTI), in collaboration with the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The Helpline currently operates daily from 3pm to 5pm and from 7pm to 9pm, and on weekends from 7pm to 9pm. The Helpline currently employs 6 operators that take shifts to cover the hours. After each shift a ‘shift report’ is being send to the Helpline Coordinator to be processed and put into record. From the month of January until April an extensive training has been put into motion targeting educators, sociologists and psychologists in order to train them in taking over the Helpline operators position but also to promote safer internet in their settings. The presentations of the training are placed online. You can find them at: http://www.cyberethics.info.