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
tbc
Ewa Domańska
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More information soon.



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.
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.
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee break
12:00 - 13:30
Expert debate
In the Network of the Future – Will Digital Technology Protect, Control, or Shape Childhood?
Moderator: Ewa Dziemidowicz
Participants in the debate: Katarzyna Szymielewicz, Michał Boni
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More information soon.
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.
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
More information soon
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
More information soon
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
Dominika 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
More information soon
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
More information soon

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