Issues of children's data processing in the modern world

The publication of children's photos on social media by themselves and their parents, consent to the processing of children's data, the use of children's images by artificial intelligence - these were some of the important issues addressed at the Conference 'Challenges for the protection of children's personal data', organised on 26 April 2024 by the Personal Data Protection Office in cooperation with the Ombudsman for Children.

Opening the meeting, Mirosław Wróblewski, the President of the Polish supervisory authority, drew attention to the increasing activity of young people in the digital world, in which there are many threats for them. Meanwhile, the actions taken on behalf of such people by public institutions and various organisations are not always coordinated with each other or known to other entities.

“I hope that today's meeting will allow us to find out what we are doing, how we are acting, how we are planning and how we can join forces to find good solutions, which largely concern the Internet sphere. I hope it will also allow us to find answers to the challenges, taking into account respect for young people's autonomy, their right to information autonomy and protection of personal data” – Mirosław Wróblewski said.

The President of the Personal Data Protection Office pointed out that, in terms of legislative and technical solutions, wise solutions are needed today, which will not be invented only by lawyers and IT specialists, but will be worked out jointly by all circles and with a strong participation of NGOs and experts.

During their lectures, experts highlighted the issue of young people's increasing activity on the internet, including social media, and the risks involved.

The aspect of young people's consent to the processing of their personal data was discussed. Alongside this topic, the issue of the correct construction of information clauses addressed to children was also discussed.

The experts also highlighted the behaviour of parents who publish their children's data and images on social media without much thought - sometimes also for advertising and profit-making purposes. They discussed what negative consequences this can have for young people.

During the conference, a cooperation agreement was also signed between the President of the Personal Data Protection Office and the Ombudsman for Children on educational and research initiatives concerning the personal data of children and teenagers. The agreement covers areas for the implementation of joint projects, initiatives, research, campaigns, publications and other educational and social activities. Under the signed agreement, the two institutions are also expected to exchange expertise.

“This is a very important moment. Data protection concerns children. And we have a lot of work to do in terms of raising awareness that personal data concern not just adults, they concern minors” - Monika Horna-Cieślak, Ombudsman for Children, said after the signing of the agreement. She announced that a lot of educational activities, joint projects, conferences and events will be carried out together with the Polish supervisory authority.

Another important point at the conference was the presentation of the Michał Serzycki Award, which this year went to Joanna Hałoń-Gnutek, PhD in literary studies and a qualified teacher, who works at the Adam Mickiewicz Primary School No. 4 in Lublin and the Non-public Children's Montessori Primary School in Lublin.

The conference was well attended. More than 500 people took part in the entire live and online event.

The final point of the conference was a workshop for children and teenagers on the protection of personal data, conducted by experts from the DPA, during which the youngsters were very active and showed great knowledge of personal data protection.