Cyprus announces national strategy for children's digital health

On November 2, 2026, the Cypriot Ministry of Health announced a new National Strategy for the Primary Prevention of the Impact of Digital Media on the Health of Children aged 0–18. Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides presented the initiative, which was developed with scientific input from the National Committee for Environment and Child Health. The strategy focuses on establishing prevention measures, providing support to families, and fostering inter-agency cooperation to address the effects of technology on daily life and child development.

The plan is structured around three primary axes. The first involves forming a ministerial advisory committee to define criteria for the suitability and benefits of digital applications and games. The second focuses on ongoing research and monitoring to understand usage patterns among children in Cyprus, while the third integrates digital health considerations into routine childcare, mental health strategies, and school-based health monitoring. Minister Charalambides emphasized that all government decisions will be based on scientific documentation to ensure policies remain adaptable as new data emerges.

This framework seeks to create a safer digital environment by separating evidence-based concerns from ongoing research. The government intends to use these findings to prioritize measures and continuously adjust its approach to protect the well-being and social relationships of minors.