Presentation of the report "More respect for the young image"

On 11 December 2025, the premiere of the report on the research carried out as part of the Polish Ombudsman for Children's campaign "More respect for the young image" took place.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ombudsman for Children, the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the Sejm and the Senate, experts, educators and youth representatives. The Personal Data Protection Office was represented by Agnieszka Grzelak, PhD, Deputy President of the Personal Data Protection Office and Anna Dudkowska, Director of the Educational Initiatives Department.

Research results and the need for new solutions

During the meeting, the most important conclusions from the report were presented, in which, as it was emphasised, the voice of children and young people is still not sufficiently taken into account in decisions regarding the publication of their image.

Jan Gawroński, the Social Deputy Ombudsman for Children, pointed out that "real solutions should be created to support the protection of children" and reminded that it is adults who should provide young people with "a space that is sensitive and full of responsibility".

Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of National Education, Paulina Piechna-Więckiewicz, emphasised that the challenge of the modern world is, inter alia, to protect the image of children online. She referred to cases of abuse, including deepfakes involving female students, and pointed out that although regulations on the GDPR and standards for the protection of minors already exist, "there are no instruments allowing for their effective enforcement". She also noted that the ambition of the Ministry of National Education is "to empower the child, build his sense of agency and influence on his own life".

Agnieszka Grzelak, PhD, talked about numerous educational initiatives implemented by the Personal Data Protection Office, such as  the Your Data – Your Concern programme. "Referring to the results of the study, it is worth noting that the data and experiences of teenagers presented in the report raise great concern and show that the matter requires intervention. With such unambiguous data, we must realise that there is an urgent need to build effective mechanisms for the protection of minors – mechanisms that must largely be addressed to adults. The results of the presented report confirm that it is necessary to further develop educational programs, transfer good practices and strengthen the position of young people in the digital environment," said the Deputy President of the Personal Data Protection Office.

Position of the Personal Data Protection Office

For many years, the Personal Data Protection Office has been conducting educational and informational activities for the protection of personal data of children and young people, including their image. The President of the Personal Data Protection Office supports initiatives that strengthen the digital awareness of the youngest, their parents and institutions responsible for children's safety.

The report can be downloaded from the BRPD website.