An information event on Artificial Intelligence and Children: Risks, Benefits and Good Practice was held successfully on Leros on Wednesday 25 February 2026. It was organised by the Dodecanese branch of New Democracy in cooperation with the party's Secretariat for Children's Rights.
The event aimed to inform parents, teachers and residents about both the modern challenges and the opportunities created by artificial intelligence in children's everyday lives, with particular emphasis on safety, the protection of children's rights and the responsible use of technology.
It took place in the conference hall of the Leros Patriarchate, a venue closely associated with the island's spiritual and social life. Public interest was strong, with many residents and representatives of local government and public authorities attending.
Those present included the president of the Leros Municipal Council, Panagiotis Koumbaros, deputy mayors Vrettos Kouvas, Christos Giannakos and Vasiliki Evangelou, the Leros garrison commander Dionysis Dimopoulos, harbour master Dimitrios Tsampiris, Leros police commander Antonis Dimoglou, municipal councillor Eleni Chelmi and Theodoros Asvestas, vice-president of the Dodecanese Chamber of Commerce tourism department. Representatives of institutions and associations, teachers, parents and pupils also attended.
The principal speaker was Manos Sfakianakis, a retired lieutenant general of the Hellenic Police, former head of the Cyber Crime Division, president of the International Cybersecurity Institute and an electronic crime investigator.
Mr Sfakianakis described the main dangers faced by children online, focusing on online exploitation, child sexual abuse material, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyberbullying and misinformation. He said these threats could be intensified by applications of artificial intelligence and stressed the need for parents and teachers to remain continuously informed, as technological developments were moving faster than society's ability to adapt.
Maria Oraiozili Koutsoupia joined online from Brussels. A lawyer practising in Athens and Brussels and president of the Rythmisis Institute for Artificial Intelligence Law, she outlined the regulatory framework governing the use of artificial intelligence in education and the safeguards intended to protect children.
The event was moderated by Katerina Emmanouil, coordinator of the New Democracy Secretariat for Children's Rights. Earlier that day, she and Mr Sfakianakis had visited schools on Leros, where he spoke to pupils and teachers about safe use of the internet and social media. Participation and interest were reported to be particularly high.
The organisers thanked everyone who took part and said they would continue initiatives that strengthen public awareness, prevention and the protection of children in the new digital era.
Katerina Emmanouil
South Aegean Coordinator, New Democracy Secretariat for Children's Rights
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