Gawkowski on children's safety online: Digital platforms need to be restrained

"If you let go of the reins, they will lead you astray"

On Tuesday in Warsaw, Krzysztof Gawkowski took part in the 20th Conference "Safer Internet. Safety of children and youth online", organized by the Empowering Children Foundation and NASK - National Research Institute. Opening the event, the Minister of Digital Affairs emphasized that the Internet "has been poisoned", among others. patostreaming (considered a crime since August this year), which encouraged young people, among others, to self-harm and suicide. According to the politician, the platforms should be held responsible and paid a fine for these actions.

Restraints need to be placed on digital platforms. (Without it) big tech is running wild. If you let go of the reins, they will lead not only the youngest, but also the oldest astray - he said.

Such threats await children on the Internet

A similar opinion was expressed by the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka. According to her, a single country has limited possibilities in the fight against technology giants, which is why effective and comprehensive regulatory actions must be taken by a strong European community.

She emphasized that although physical safety (offline) has improved significantly over the last 20 years, on the Internet children face violence, hate, exclusion, pornography, hatred, aggression and encouragement to terrorism.

NASK Director: Companies such as Meta are "tobacco companies of the 21st century."

During the opening of the conference, the director of NASK, Radosław Nielek, spoke and reminded that Meta (the owner of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as the WhatsApp messenger) will pay USD 17 billion in the United States as part of a settlement regarding allegations of creating addictive mechanisms for children. This amount, although huge, is only 5%. company's advertising profits over the last 10 years.

This money is to be paid in the USA, which is why Nielek appealed to the European Commission and the governments of the Member States to require equal treatment.

on the Internet, children face violence on projects and programs helping children who experience the negative effects of addictions, he said.

Companies such as Meta are basically - I will use this phrase - tobacco companies of the 21st century. And just like tobacco companies, states and international organizations such as the European Union should treat them, account for them and charge them with the costs related to the damage they have caused - he added.

The "Safer Internet" conference is being held for the 20th time. In discussion panels and lectures with the participation of experts - including: prof. AMU Dr. hab. Jacek Pyżalski, Niels Van Paemel, Łukasz Wojtasik, Ewa Domańska and prof. Ph.D. Ireny Pospiszyl – you can participate both stationary and online.