Better Internet for Kids

My name is Zuzanna, and I’m a Better Internet for Kids Youth Ambassador, as well as a Youth Panellist for the Polish Safer Internet Centre. I’d love to give you an insight into what it's like to represent young people's voices! 

In March 2026, I had the great pleasure of speaking at COFACE’s “Families in the age of artificial intelligence: Rights, inclusion and empowerment” conference in Athens. However, preparations began several months earlier so we could deliver nothing but the best ideas to our guests. 

Our panel included three BIK Youth Ambassadors, each covering a different topic. I chose to speak about AI in CSAM (child sexual abuse material) and how families are impacted by the ever-growing technological developments that can overlook the safety and well-being of children. Sounds like a tough theme, doesn't it? I think so too. Imagine how flustered I felt deciding to speak up about this matter. However, I couldn't give it up because I believe caretakers aren't sufficiently aware of said danger and would rely on an outsider's opinion; hence, I dedicated my time to researching and debating with my colleagues to broaden my perspective and gain opinions to share.

Fortunately, COFACE’s and the BIK Youth programme moderators have been the key guides in my preparation phase. I was recommended countless resources and received advisory support at every step leading up to the event.

On the day of the conference, I felt this nagging in the pit of my stomach, as I always do before a public appearance. At the back of my mind, there are always concerns, either tied to the fact that I might be the youngest and least experienced, or simply struggling with my notes and vocabulary. The thing that made me excited to speak out, though, was hearing echoes of my ideas  during other panels. 

Moreover, during breakout sessions, I had an amazing opportunity to co-moderate a panel tackling “Online safety and navigating AI in digital environments”, which not only aligned with my academic interests, but also sparked great debates and insightful questions leading to the same conclusions I had prepared for my own presentation. It gave me this sense of understanding and a chance to share something fresh with the gathered professionals and representatives.

The gathered experts and parents were the best public we could have had! I always appreciate the need for a youngster to be listened to in order to see a cause in a new light. It’s common for me to repeat myself like a broken record, but it must be mentioned - you can’t decide on our generation's future and reality without including us in the debate! It would be simply pointless otherwise. The floor was engaged, excited, and intrigued by the idea of youth tackling topics of great responsibility and seriousness. 

I challenged the audience to see online reality through a child's perspective. Is it really a digital playground? Have you ever used any chatbots or platforms yourself? I raised the inevitable topic of very large online platforms (VLOPs, as designated under the Digital Services Act (DSA)) capitalising on children's harm, lobbying governments to stay strict in legal encounters and law enforcement, how current politics shape the way we perceive and experience social media, and why sharenting is the peak of irresponsible practices. It stressed me out to tackle topics so controversial, but on the other hand, that’s what I’m here for! I, as a young adult, view it as crucial to understanding our reality, so why wouldn't it be a valid point? It sparked great debates and led to so many precious questions and insights afterwards!

We talked about my peers feeling the lack of empathy occurring in those who use media extensively, and the way our perception of sexuality and shame has been shaped and reinforced by algorithms. I am forever grateful to my friends who shared those priceless insights during prior brainstorming and supported me through narrating them to the broader public. 

I felt heard: my voice mattered and stirred debate. I will always advocate for youth to be involved in policymaking, opinion shaping, and research; hence, we can’t deny our digital citizenship. 

I loved every question that came by. The philosophical ones - about the online world being a black mirror to society's flawed worldviews, and the personal ones - do I feel safe posting my face, or verifying apps with my documents? All of them mean the world to me, and if just one person left the room with a dilemma, an idea, or a fresh perspective, I know I’ve done my job right! 

This experience gave me a feeling of fulfilment, purpose and agency. I understood the complexity of AI in families, and just how many areas of homelife are affected by it. To my disappointment, I also became aware of the limits we face regarding law enforcement and politics. The event highlighted the importance of international cooperation and ground-up action. I left Athens more critical but also more understanding and curious. 

Advocating for youth voices and planting new ideas and views in professional settings gives me a sense of purpose and fulfilment. My interest in online safety and AI continues to shape both my academic work and future career path. I am aware of the gap between me and the other participants, but it's the most thrilling part! Getting to hear their fruitful feedback motivates me for future initiatives and brings me hope in our cause. 

As a young person, I feel directly affected by the rapid development of AI technologies, yet young voices are often missing from these discussions. This is why participating in this event was important to me… not only to learn, but also to represent my generation's perspective.

Discover more about youth participation activities in the BIK Youth section of the portal.