In Paphos, a man was arrested for promoting hate speech on social media, facing possible fines and imprisonment. The incident highlights Cyprus’s commitment to combat cybercrime and protect residents from online abuse, emphasizing the importance of responsible digital behavior.
The “I Feel Confident” program by Dove and Hope For Children CRC Policy Center empowers Cypriot students aged 10 to 17 to embrace healthy body image and selfconfidence, tackling social media’s impact on selfperception with educational resources for students, teachers, and parents. Launched in 2022, this initiative has already reached over 1,000 youths, fostering a future where young people can navigate life confidently amidst societal challenges.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou has highlighted the challenges Cyprus faces with an emerging smuggling route from Lebanon to Europe, fueled by social media promotions. To combat this trend, Cyprus emphasizes the need for increased cooperation with Lebanon, facing maritime challenges and strained resources in managing migrant arrivals and returns.
A violent confrontation erupted in Kissonerga after a man’s aggressive response to a social media “like.” The 36yearold victim was hospitalized due to injuries, while the police arrested the instigator and are searching for three others involved.
The case of Turkish Cypriot journalist Serdinc Maypa highlights the clash between journalism and privacy rights in the digital age. Maypa’s detention on privacy violation charges underscores the need for responsible handling of personal data in journalism, emphasizing the delicate balance between public interest stories and individual privacy rights.
In Cyprus, social media engagement is booming with an impressive 83% of the population actively participating, ranking the nation second in the EU. This digital trend reflects a cultural embrace of technology, far exceeding the EU average and showcasing opportunities for growth in various sectors.
In recent times, there’s been an alarming increase in social media account hijacking, with Viber being a significant target. The Cybercrime Subdivision has issued a warning, urging the public to exercise extreme caution and providing steps to protect against hijacking, including enabling twofactor authentication, reviewing connected devices, updating personal information, and practicing good password hygiene.
