Agenda

   

Tuesday, 23rd September

08:30 - 09:30
Registation
Please prepare your tickets (printed or electronic), which you will receive via email.
09:30 - 10:15
Official opening
10:15 - 11:45
Plenary session
Where is the street on the Internet? The online fulfillment of the real needs of children and youth
JU prof. Małgorzata Michel PHD
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The presentation is based on the thesis that, in the polycrisis situation humanity currently faces, people’s needs have not changed significantly; what has changed is the way those needs are met. One of the reasons for this change is living in two parallel realities: the real and the online. The latter offers much greater possibilities for finding ways to fulfill one’s needs and is associated with the avatarization of identity as well as a seeming and subjective sense of security. Focusing on children from vulnerable groups prone to harm and exclusion, the author will show where the “street” exists on the Internet—understood as a space for children’s street activity carried out without the participation or supervision of adults. On the practical level, the issue relates to identifying children’s needs and, as a result, seeking ways to ensure their protection and safe fulfillment.



Protecting Without Excluding
UVA prof. Jessica Piotrowski PHD
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As concerns about children’s digital wellbeing intensify, calls for stronger age restrictions and platform accountability are growing. While it's crucial to protect young users from harmful content and ensure their rights are respected, this keynote cautions against reactive, control-oriented solutions that focus solely on keeping children out. Instead, it advocates for a future centered on digital competence and wellbeing-by-design. Grounded in research from developmental media psychology, communication science, and policy frameworks like the Digital Services Act (Article 28), this talk reframes digital engagement as a developmental opportunity — one that requires thoughtful design, supportive structures, and skill-building, not blanket bans. Empowering young people to navigate digital environments safely and meaningfully offers a more effective, sustainable, and rights-based path forward.
11:45 - 12:15
Coffee break
12:15 - 13:45
Plenary session
Children and adolescents in the world of beauty trends. What risks and psychological consequences may be associated with appearance pressure?
Ewa Domańska
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Younger and younger children and teenagers are entering the world of beauty trends, inspired by social media. What is often perceived as fun frequently turns into the pressure of comparisons and striving for unrealistic appearance standards. What risky behaviors and potential psychological consequences are linked to this phenomenon among girls and boys?



15+ REASONS: Why and How to Protect Children from Social Media Platforms
Łukasz Wojtasik
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Social media platforms pose a serious threat to children’s health, psychological well-being, and development. The current age limit—set at 13 years—is increasingly seen as too low, and even so, it is largely ineffective in practice. During the presentation, results of the “13+ CHECK” diagnostic study will be shared, evaluating the effectiveness of age restrictions. The findings reveal that very young children commonly access social media platforms and that this access is linked to harmful experiences. The talk will also highlight the main risks associated with children’s use of social platforms and outline possible ways to prevent them. This presentation will launch the Empowering Children Foundation’s campaign “15+ REASONS”, aimed at meaningfully restricting access to social media for children under the age of 15.



Protecting Children in the Digital Age: Insights from France’s Educational and Regulatory Initiatives
Eva Lopez
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France has recently introduced pioneering measures to protect children online, from regulating child influencers and parental sharing to proposals for raising the minimum age of social media access. This session will highlight how these initiatives are being put into practice and what they mean for schools, parents, and digital literacy education. It will also consider their broader impact on children’s rights and online safety, and how these debates resonate within the wider European context.
13:45 - 14:45
Lunch
14:45 - 16:15
Expert debate
Programmed Closeness – Emotional Relationships Between Youth and AI
Moderator: Julia Piechna
Participants in the debate: Deborah Vasallo, Zuzanna Gawlik, Niels Van Paemel, Tomasz Bilicki, Jacek Pyżalski
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Young people are increasingly using AI tools not only for educational purposes but also for emotional ones — entrusting them with their problems, anxieties and needs. During the debate we will consider why young people seek closeness in artificial intelligence and what makes conversations with AI become a form of support for them. Can a relationship with technology be authentic? What risks and opportunities are associated with this phenomenon? Does AI satisfy real emotional needs, or does it merely simulate them? Together with a panel of experts we will discuss how to responsibly support young people in a world in which technology increasingly accompanies them — including in the most difficult moments.
16:15 - 17:00
Premiere Screening of the Miniseries "#SPOTTED"
Agnieszka Maślanka
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The educational miniseries #SPOTTED tells the story of a group of teenagers experiencing peer violence online. Created in the style of popular teen dramas, it serves as an engaging tool for discussing relationships, responsibility, and preventing cyberbullying with young people. The film was produced as part of the Peers program by the Empowering Children Foundation, which supports young people in building safe and empathetic relationships. The youth premiere of the film took place during the Digital Youth Forum in June 2025 and was met with enthusiastic reception from students. During the conference, the film is being presented for the first time to an adult audience—teachers, educators, and professionals working with youth. The screening will be preceded by a short introduction outlining the goals of the Peers program and the context in which the series was created.

Wednesday, 24th September

10:00 - 11:30
Resilience Begins with Adults: The Teacher’s Role in Shaping Mental Strength
Aleksandra Lewandowska PHD
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Resilience, understood as mental toughness and the ability to regain balance after difficult experiences, is today a key competence for both youth and adults in the school environment. The teacher, as a guide and role model, plays a particularly important role in shaping students' attitudes toward challenges and crises. Their ability to regulate emotions, maintain balance, and build relationships based on empathy and trust becomes the foundation for developing students' psychological resilience. In the context of increasing pressures on schools—such as mental health crises and rapid social changes—it is the teacher's attitude and care for their own well-being that influence the creation of an atmosphere conducive to student development. A holistic approach, mindfulness, and respect for boundaries not only help prevent burnout, but also allow for the creation of a crisis-resilient school—a place where both teachers and students can feel safe and thrive.



Protecting our youth from image-based abuse online: time for a practical approach
Jean-Christophe Le Toquin
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Anyone who has experienced the distress of having their intimate images shared without consent knows how challenging it can be to obtain this basic level of protection, namely getting the images removed from the internet swiftly before friends, family, and neighbours see them. In those initial moments of panic, when intimate images have been made public or are about to be circulated to humiliate and scare, it is crucial for the victim to have the support from a trusted person or organisation, such as a teacher or a helpline. While the best psychological support comes from a rescuer close to the victim, rescuers also need assistance: they need help to secure the removal of intimate images and prevent their republication around the globe. This session will discuss the technological and collaborative elements frontline operators need, and a possible approach to ensure that young people are not left alone in the face of their own injustice.



A synergistic approach to preventing and tackling bullying and cyberbullying in Italian schools.
Giuliano De Luca
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Schools play a fundamental role in preventing and combating cyberbullying, but they must coordinate their efforts with other key stakeholders, such as families and experts. Italian legislation is moving in this direction by aiming for a synergistic approach and assigning specific responsibilities to key figures.
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee break
12:00 - 13:30
Expert debate
In the Network of the Future – How the Technology will Shape the Childhood?
Moderator: Ewa Dziemidowicz
Participants in the debate: Katarzyna Szymielewicz, Oliwia Cempa, Sylwia Czubkowska
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Can we recognize the negative impact of technology early enough and design better paths for its development? Technology of the 2010s focused on capturing and holding our attention. We now know that a business model based on maximizing user engagement encouraged endless scrolling, social media addiction, and distraction. In the face of health and psychological consequences for children and adolescents, the first systemic corrective measures are being introduced. The harmful effects of social media, however, were not inevitable – they were the consequence of deliberate choices in app design and insufficient legal regulations.

AI meets us on a deeper level – emotional and relational. It helps shape thoughts, takes on the role of therapist, friend, confidant, partner. AI systems have ceased to be tools we merely use; they themselves exploit the human need for closeness and connection in the face of widespread loneliness. At the same time, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence has triggered a flood of high-quality synthetic media in the digital ecosystem. As a result, it is harder than ever to distinguish what is real and what is not. In the coming future, the most influential voices may belong to artificial intelligence, which will fill our information channels, shape our choices, and accompany our children more than we do.

Technology is a collective challenge. During the debate, we will look beyond utopian fantasies and grim forecasts about AI, and reflect on how not to repeat the mistakes of the past, how to responsibly shape the future of technology, and how to protect children and adolescents from its negative effects.

13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
14:30 - 16:00
Plenary session
Deep Fake, My Love: Why do we love so much what we fear so deeply
Arek Szulczyński
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Deep Fake, Fake News, disinformation – everyone knows these words by now. But terms like Fake Events, Boomertraps, AI Slop, or LLM Grooming are still unfamiliar to most. For now... “The inability to tell what’s true and what’s not” is the biggest fear tied to the development of modern technologies—a fear shared by people around the world. On the other hand, it turns out we love conspiracy theories and the meme-ified version of reality. That we’re more eager and determined to share false information with one another. That we almost blindly accept and adopt technologies that allow us to distort and manipulate the image of reality. Why is that? And why will it keep happening? Hmm, that is the question.



The impact of algorithms
Kelsey Bjornsgaard
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Algorithms shape our experience online. They quietly curate nearly everything we encounter, helping us discover content, products and communities tailored to our interests. While this can vastly improve our online experience, it can also amplify online harms, including disinformation, echo chambers and polarising content. This presentation will examine the impact that algorithms have on shaping our online experience and the risks they pose to young users.



From Conflict to Peace Online – Peer Mediation in the Face of Cyberbullying
Anna Kaczmarska
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Conflicts have existed, exist, and will continue to exist in every group and at any time. They arise wherever there are interpersonal relationships – which also includes the internet, an essential space for young people's lives. However, conflict does not have to be seen solely as a threat. It can be an opportunity to reach understanding and develop social skills. Peer mediation is a tool that strengthens the agency of young people. It teaches responsibility, empathy, strengthens communication, and the understanding of both one’s own and others’ behaviors and emotions. Peer mediation allows young people to resolve disputes on their own, with the safe support of trusted adults. Thanks to mediation, young people – already experts in cyberspace – also become experts in resolving conflicts that take place online. The presenter will showcase the Zabrze model for introducing peer mediation in schools, which has resulted in training over 500 youth mediators.
16:00 - 16:20
Closing of the Conference

Thursday, 25th September (webinars – conducted in polish)

09:00 - 10:30
WEBINAR I
The Digital World of Children and Teenagers – How to Protect Them from Excessive Screen Time?
Kamil Oleszkiewicz
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[Webinar conducted in polish] Does your child or student reach for their phone even during studying or conversations? Or maybe you yourself notice difficulties concentrating and constantly switching between screens? We live in a world of digital distractions that affect concentration, sleep, relationships, and health—for both children and adults. This webinar will help you understand how excessive screen time impacts the developing brain and well-being of young people. You will learn how to counteract the effects of multiscreening and support healthy digital habits. In this webinar, you will find out, among other things: How does excessive screen time affect brain development and concentration in children and adolescents? Why do digital distractions lower academic performance and the ability to focus? How do screens disrupt sleep, increase stress levels, and hinder relationships? Why is media multitasking so harmful—especially for young people?
09:00 - 10:30
WEBINAR II
Identification and Ways to Meet the Needs of Children from Vulnerable Groups in a Dual Reality
JU prof. Małgorzata Michel PHD
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[Webinar conducted in polish] The aim of the webinar is to provide knowledge on how to identify the needs of children from vulnerable groups in the context of recognition and diagnosis, as well as to jointly explore safe ways and possibilities to meet those needs in the context of functioning within a dual reality (simultaneously real and virtual).
10:45 - 12:15
WEBINAR III
Sieciaki: Preventing Online Threats for Early Primary School Children
Zofia Mironiuk
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[Webinar conducted in polish] Children in early primary school are increasingly using the internet independently, which brings many risks, including hate speech, harmful content, addiction, and grooming. During the webinar, we will discuss the most significant of these threats and demonstrate how to effectively counteract them through educational activities tailored to younger internet users. We will present the Sieciaki project – an educational initiative implemented for over 20 years by the Empowering Children Foundation, which supports children in using the internet safely. We will showcase the project's new website, available educational materials, and the e-learning course. The webinar will be an opportunity to learn about practical tools and methods for working with children that will help them cope with digital threats.
10:45 - 12:15
WEBINAR IV
From helplessness to mobilisation: five segments of Polish parents on children’s online safety
Zofia Włodarczyk, Julia Kondratowicz
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[Webinar conducted in polish] There is a growing number of studies in the public debate on how children and adolescents use the internet. Less is said about the perspective of parents, who have the potential to be the driving force for social change in the area of internet regulation. What emotions are stirred in them by their children’s online activity? What actions are they already taking, and which are they willing to introduce? These and other questions were the focus of our parent segmentation study at More in Common Polska. In the first phase of the study, we conducted a survey of 1,500 parents, on the basis of which we identified five segments of Polish parents, including, for example, the Restrictive Warriors, the Freedom-Trusting, and the Distressed Helpless. We then conducted focus group interviews with each of the segments to gain a deeper understanding of their motivations and actions. Our aim is for the tool we have created to help those working on children’s online safety better diagnose parents’ concerns and hopes and motivate them to take further action.
12:30 - 14:00
WEBINAR V
The Materiality and Ecology of the Internet – How Cyberspace Works and What Resources It Uses
Paweł Ogrodzki, Andrzej Rylski
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[Webinar conducted in polish] We will discuss lesser-known aspects of the internet, focusing on its physical side and ecological impact – the effect that the production and functioning of devices used for internet connectivity have on our environment. What is the true cost of a new smartphone and instant access to information? How much energy do servers consume? We aim to broaden the understanding of digital well-being by talking about the impact of technology use not only on our health but also on the state of our environment.
12:30 - 14:00
WEBINAR VI
Child protection standards in schools – a tool for cooperation or a source of conflict?
Katarzyna Poniatowska
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[Webinar conducted in polish] The intention behind the statutory child protection standards introduced by the Act on Counteracting Threats of Sexual Crime and Protecting Minors (the so-called Lex Kamilek) was, and still is, to strengthen the protection of children against harm. What has actually happened in practice in many schools after the implementation of these standards, however, has been an increase in tension between teachers and the parents of students. During the webinar, we will discuss what the implementation of standards looks like in practice, the difficulties faced by school whistleblowers, and what can be done to improve cooperation between schools, parents, and students.
14:15 - 15:45
WEBINAR VII
Cyber Threats Demystified – A Practical Guide for Teachers
Anna Kwaśnik
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[Webinar conducted in polish] In an era of widespread internet use, users are increasingly exposed to cyber threats. The growing activity of cybercriminals, including the use of artificial intelligence, makes data protection and conscious online behavior more important than ever. The meeting aims to raise awareness of online threats and develop practical skills in cybersecurity and cyber hygiene. The webinar will cover, among others: • methods used by cybercriminals (phishing, identity theft, AI-based scams), • how to identify suspicious content and avoid threats, • cyber hygiene principles – e.g., strong passwords, updates, safe device usage. The webinar is intended for teachers of all educational levels – regardless of their level of technological proficiency.
14:15 - 15:45
WEBINAR VIII
More information soon
16:00 - 17:30
WEBINAR IX
How Generative Artificial Intelligence Affects Development and Socialization – Research Findings
AMU prof. Jacek Pyżalski PhD
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[Webinar conducted in polish] The lecture focuses on what research tells us about how generative artificial intelligence can positively and negatively impact the development and socialization of young people. We will mainly focus on studies conducted among Polish teachers as part of a NASK project, as well as the qualitative part of the EU Kids Online project (interviews with teenagers).
16:00 - 17:30
WEBINAR X
AI in teachers’ work – possibilities and good practices
Dorota Pintal, Monika Eilmes
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[Webinar conducted in polish] The webinar is dedicated to the practical use of modern tools based on artificial intelligence in education. Participants will learn what generative AI is, how popular applications work, and what benefits they can bring to everyday teaching practice. We will discuss how to create and personalize educational materials, support formative assessment, formulate feedback, and construct success criteria with the help of AI. We will also address important ethical issues and how teachers can support students in the responsible use of technology. There will be numerous practical tips and examples of implementations that they can use in their work immediately.

Friday, 26th September (webinars – conducted in polish)

09:00 - 10:30
WEBINAR I
Growing up online – how to talk about sexuality, online grooming, and pornography
Patrycja Wonatowska
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[Webinar conducted in polish] Growing up in the digital world brings entirely new challenges for children, adolescents, and adults. During the webinar, we will look at developmental and sexual norms in childhood and adolescence in order to better understand what a natural part of development is and what should raise our concern. We will focus on phenomena characteristic of contemporary times – such as online grooming or early exposure to pornography – and discuss how they can affect the emotions, relationships, and sense of identity of young people. The meeting will provide practical guidance on how to talk with children and teenagers about sexuality, and how to support them in building safe and conscious attitudes toward both the offline and online worlds.
09:00 - 10:30
WEBINAR II
More information soon
10:45 - 12:15
WEBINAR III
Image Under Pressure: How Social Media Shapes Teenagers’ Perception of Appearance
Ewa Domańska
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[Webinar conducted in polish] Social media is exerting an increasing influence on how children and teenagers perceive their appearance. Idealized images, beauty filters, and constant comparisons with peers and influencers create pressure—even for the youngest—to “look better.” This can lead to body dissatisfaction, lower self-esteem, and even risky behaviors that impact mental and physical health. This webinar is dedicated to raising awareness about the influence of social media on self-image and to developing practical ways to support students in building healthy self-esteem. Topics to be covered include: • how social media works (filters, likes, algorithms), • differences in appearance-related pressure between girls and boys, • psychological effects of idealized beauty standards, • the role of adults in counteracting these phenomena.
10:45 - 12:15
WEBINAR IV
Internet and Mental Health – Algorithms, Addictions, Smartphones at School
Natalia Wójcicka
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[Webinar conducted in polish] Do your students or children struggle to put down their phones—even during class? 🔄 Do you notice that social media, games, and smartphones increasingly affect their mood, sleep, and relationships with others? 🧠 In an age of ever-running algorithms, rapidly changing stimuli, and constant online access, it’s becoming harder to protect young people from digital overload. 🎯 This webinar will help you understand how new technologies impact the mental health of children and teenagers, and what we can do to prevent digital addictions—especially within the school environment.
12:30 - 14:00
WEBINAR V
Between Authenticity and Curation – The Digital Identity of Youth
Anna Słupska
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[Webinar conducted in polish] This webinar on digital identity will focus on analyzing the mechanisms that shape how teenagers present themselves online. We will address topics such as peer pressure, the influence of influencers, the FOMO phenomenon, and risks related to the loss of privacy. Participants will learn how to support young people in building healthy self-esteem and a responsible approach to their online presence.
12:30 - 14:00
WEBINAR VI
Exposure to Pornographic Content and Patterns in the Psychosexual Development of Children and Adolescents
Marcin Bednarczyk
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[Webinar conducted in polish] Pornography — particularly online pornography — is one of the most dangerous and unique “killers” of healthy psychosexual development in young people. At present, we generally lack effective solutions that could both minimize exposure to pornography and offer viable alternatives. That alternative should be professional sex education—serving not only as a source of accurate information, but also as a way to address emerging needs, emotions, and experiences related to sexuality. This is especially important because, for most adolescents, pornography becomes the primary "compendium of knowledge" on the subject. However, it is a commercial product and should be viewed solely as such—in both perception and behavior—so that young people understand that intimate, erotic, and sexual life has nothing to do with pornography. My presentation will focus on these interrelated issues.
14:15 - 15:45
WEBINAR VII
The Power of Connection as a Protective Factor Against Online Threats
Marta Wojtas
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[Webinar conducted in polish] In the age of widespread digitalization, children and teenagers are spending more and more time online, which brings both opportunities and serious risks – from addiction and cyberbullying to exposure to inappropriate content. In the face of these challenges, the quality of relationships between children and adults plays a key role. Research and practice show that a strong, trust-based bond with parents and teachers can effectively protect young people from the negative impact of the internet. During the webinar, we will explore how to build and strengthen these bonds in everyday interactions with children. Participants will learn: what mechanisms make the adult–child relationship a "protective shield," how to talk with children about their online activity, and how to support them in developing digital skills. The webinar is intended for parents and teachers who want to better understand the role of relationships in preventing digital threats and learn practical strategies for building trust and closeness in the screen era.
14:15 - 15:45
WEBINAR VIII
Pathocontent 2.0 – where is toxic content today and what can be done about it?
Maciej Kępka, Arkadiusz Michałowski
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[Webinar conducted in polish] During the webinar, we will examine the phenomenon of "Patotreści 2.0," meaning violent, manipulative, or emotionally harmful content appearing on platforms popular among youth. We will discuss how the form and distribution of such materials have changed, the role algorithms play in promoting toxic content, and what motivates young people to watch it. We will also consider the potential psychological and social consequences of exposure to such content and the currently available response options.
16:00 - 17:30
WEBINAR IX
How to conduct preventive classes on safety with students – working methods and practical tips
Maria Olejarz
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During the webinar, participants will have the opportunity to jointly explore the question of what the secret of engaging activities for children and adolescents is. They will hear reflections from students themselves about successful workshop work. They will learn what difficulties may arise when working with a group and how to prevent them. Through concrete examples, they will become familiar with group work techniques and methods that engage children and adolescents, useful when conducting classes, including those on online safety.

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