Safer Internet Helpline for Children

The Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children in collaboration with the CyberEthics project are hiring operators for the operation of the Safer Internet Helpline for Children.

The Helpline publicly announces its desire to train and hire a number of telephone counselors. The training will span two days, and will take place on the 4th (10a.m – 2p.m) and 8th (3p.m-6p.m) of April. The criteria for participation are a background in counseling, psychology, pedagogy or other related fields which place an emphasis on the cultivation of high-level communication skills. Upon successful completion of the training, the applicants will receive a certification of attendance and will be able to work as Helpline operators.

The operators will be expected to work a number of 1 hour shifts each month, depending on the number of applicants who successfully complete the training. The operators will be paid €5 for each shift.

Anyone interested in participating can communicate with the coordinator of CyberEthics, Mrs. Georgina Shitta at 22873820 or with the Safer Internet Helpline coordinator, Lawrence Kalogreades, via email at lawrence@cnti.org.cy. All applicants are requested to send a CV/resume to this email address.

The Safer Internet Helpline is co-operated by the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children (PCCPWC) and the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute. Its goal is to provide guidance and counseling on Internet Safety Issues. The Helpline will operate daily between 20.00-21.00.

Analogous Helplines are being launched throughout Europe with the support of the European Commission. The European Commission is convinced that children encounter dangerous and disturbing materials on the Internet and they experience fear, intimidation and bullying. The possibility to talk anonymously to a professional may support them psychologically to deal with such complex situations and even take action and report illegal webpages. The Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute together with CYTA operate also a Hotline where such anonymous reports can be done. The website is at www.cyberethics.info.

Partners in the CyberEthics project are also CYTA, the Pedagogical Institute of the Ministry of Education and the Turkish Cypriot NGO, Olive Branch Foundation.

Please also click here to see an article in the Cypriot Media about the Helpline