Our website is using cookies to deliver best possible experience to you. By using it you agree to cookies policy.
The world of new technologies is racing ahead, and with it, threats that just a few years ago seemed like something out of science fiction are evolving. Today, artificial intelligence, deepfakes and ubiquitous algorithms are part of our everyday lives, which, although fascinating, pose enormous challenges for Polish society.
As shown by our research conducted as part of the Together Against Disinformation coalition in collaboration with the Demagog Association, SWPS University, T-Mobile Poland, Ringier Axel Springer Poland and TVN Warner Bros. Discovery, the level of awareness among Poles remains alarmingly low. As many as 9 out of 10 of us have shared at least one piece of false information, which shows how difficult it is for us today to stop and reflectively evaluate the content that enters our digital bubbles. Aleksandra Karasińska and Maciej Kossowski, president of the Association of Digital Publishers, discussed this pressing need for media education and how technology affects our lives in the Radio TOK FM studio.
During this extremely important discussion, topics were raised that should serve as a wake-up call for every parent and citizen. It turns out that there is a huge gap between what parents think about their children's online activity and the brutal reality. While more than half of guardians believe they have full control over their children's digital lives, only one in five children confirm these statements. Statistics on minors' exposure to pornography or receiving nude photos are alarming, and the lack of knowledge about what deepfakes are only exacerbates the problem. The conversation on TOK FM also touches on the fundamental issue of the responsibility of tech giants. Should companies that make billions of dollars from algorithms that grab our attention at all costs – even at the expense of polarisation or promoting scams – finally be held legally responsible for the content they distribute?
In an era of fighting for freedom of speech, which is often confused with a lack of any control over a toxic information ecosystem, we must ask ourselves: who is supposed to protect our society? Are regulations such as the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) sufficient, or is the key to grassroots education and building digital resilience from an early age? Maciej Kossowski rightly points out that modern social media has become a highway for disinformation, and we as users often unthinkingly ‘do the work’ for those who deliberately sow chaos in the public sphere. We encourage you to listen to the entire recording of this podcast to better understand the mechanisms governing today's internet and learn what steps we must take as a community to avoid becoming hostages to our own smartphones. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about reliable information and the safety of our children in a world dominated by AI.
More in the TokFM interview.