This is an educational initiative aimed at students and teachers, under the honorary patronage of the Minister of National Education and the Ombudsman for Children. One of the very important priorities of the President of the Personal Data Protection Office is education. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the supervisory authority is tasked with spreading knowledge about personal data protection throughout society, with particular emphasis on activities aimed at children and young people. For years, the program has inspired teachers, students and parents who, by participating in it, show how children can be taught the principles of personal data protection from an early age, presenting difficult topics during lessons, extracurricular activities and other themed events using games and activities.
The entire school community actively participated in the celebrations of Personal Data Protection Day and carried out a range of interesting activities. The joint efforts of Classes I–VIII aimed to familiarize students with issues concerning the protection of their personal data. All classes learned how to protect their privacy using lesson plans and educational materials prepared by the Personal Data Protection Office (UODO). The school’s students took part in classes during which they had the opportunity to learn what personal data is and what rules should be followed to protect it. Meanwhile, talks given by Edyta Konefał, the data protection officer (DPO), made students aware of the importance of protecting their privacy and the consequences of violating it.
Classes IV–VIII produced a series of drawings and posters concerning personal data protection. They were displayed in an exhibition entitled “Your Data – Your Matter”, which could be viewed in the school corridor. The works prepared for the occasion confirmed that protecting their identities matters to the students and that they understand the issue of privacy violations and the principles of safe internet use very well. As a symbol of this special day, students brought padlocks they had made themselves to school, symbolizing the protection of their data.
The Student Council, together with its supervisors – Adrian Banyś and Agnieszka Markowicz – also organized a special meeting with the classes, during which students learned about personal data protection, the right to privacy online, digital footprints affecting one’s image, communication and unwanted online activities. The knowledge gained became the starting point for a student debate entitled “How to protect your personal data?”.
As part of the individual activities, educators offered students numerous opportunities provided by modern information and communication technologies, which are not only entertaining but also facilitate learning, acquiring new skills and communication. The children learned how to protect their personal data using, among other things, internet resources and an interactive whiteboard. Students from Classes V–VI produced leaflets entitled “Safe Winter Break – GDPR Rules”, which they will deliver to other schools in Bolesławiec. Through their joint efforts, the students of Class VIIa created a mascot called “RODuś”, which reminded children about protecting their privacy on that day.
Students from Classes IV–VIII also took part in a session entitled “How to Explore the Digital World Safely?”, conducted by school representatives of the Student Council under the supervision of Adrian Banyś. The new law significantly changes the approach to personal data protection, so it is important to understand its principles. It is important for every student to be aware of the risks, be able to minimize them and know how to set boundaries when sharing their data.
The aim of the Personal Data Protection Day celebrations was to improve the skills of educators and teachers and to educate children and young people on how to protect personal data both in the real and digital worlds.
The celebrations’ coordinator, Justyna Kołodziejczyk-Żugaj, and the Student Council supervisors extend their sincere thanks to the entire school community for its involvement in the celebrations of Personal Data Protection Day.