This research report examines the practice of publishing children's and adolescents' images online, evaluating consent, digital privacy, and potential harms across peer, family, and school environments. Commissioned by Poland’s Ombudsman for Children (Rzecznik Praw Dziecka), the study highlights the prevalent disregard for young people's autonomy. The study finds that 38 per cent of teachers, 30 per cent of parents, and 23 per cent of peers post photos without asking for permission. While most adolescents want the right to maintain an online presence, they strongly demand agency and explicit consent beforehand. The report calls for institutional and cultural changes to safeguard children's digital dignity, privacy, and online safety.
Methodology
The study was commissioned by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in the fall of 2024 on school premises by PBS Sp. z o. o. The qualitative study was conducted in the form of focus group interviews (FGI) with adolescents aged 12–17 (N = 48), educators (N = 24), and parents of adolescents (N = 24). The quantitative study was conducted on a nationwide sample (N = 1,604) of teenagers aged 12–17. Teenagers completed surveys on tablets while listening to questions read by a narrator (audio-CASI technique).
Country or region of researched population
Poland
Citation
Tymińska, A., Modzelewska, M., Makaruk, K., & Drabarek, K. (2025). Więcej szacunku dla młodego wizerunku. Raport z badań. Biuro Rzecznika Praw Dziecka. https://brpd.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/RPD_raport_wiecej-szacunku_net_FINAL.pdf
Record created:
01 August 2026
This research report examines the practice of publishing children's and adolescents' images online, evaluating consent, digital privacy, and potential harms across peer, family, and school environments. Commissioned by Poland’s Ombudsman for Children (Rzecznik Praw Dziecka), the study highlights the prevalent disregard for young people's autonomy. The study finds that 38 per cent of teachers, 30 per cent of parents, and 23 per cent of peers post photos without asking for permission. While most adolescents want the right to maintain an online presence, they strongly demand agency and explicit consent beforehand. The report calls for institutional and cultural changes to safeguard children's digital dignity, privacy, and online safety.
Methodology
The study was commissioned by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in the fall of 2024 on school premises by PBS Sp. z o. o. The qualitative study was conducted in the form of focus group interviews (FGI) with adolescents aged 12–17 (N = 48), educators (N = 24), and parents of adolescents (N = 24). The quantitative study was conducted on a nationwide sample (N = 1,604) of teenagers aged 12–17. Teenagers completed surveys on tablets while listening to questions read by a narrator (audio-CASI technique).
Country or region of researched population
Poland
Citation
Tymińska, A., Modzelewska, M., Makaruk, K., & Drabarek, K. (2025). Więcej szacunku dla młodego wizerunku. Raport z badań. Biuro Rzecznika Praw Dziecka. https://brpd.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/RPD_raport_wiecej-szacunku_net_FINAL.pdf
Record created:
01 August 2026- image sharenting privacy data privacy online rights
Related content
- < Previous Item
- Next Item >
