‘Protect Yourself Online’ – joint efforts to counter the radicalisation of young people
On 28 October 2026, training sessions aimed at secondary school headteachers were held in Warsaw and Bydgoszcz, organised as part of the ‘Protect Yourself Online’ project. Representatives from the Internal Security Agency (ABW), the NASK State Research Institute and the Ministry of Digital Affairs took part in the initiative.
On 28 October 2026, training sessions aimed at secondary school headteachers were held in Warsaw and Bydgoszcz, organised as part of the ‘Protect Yourself Online’ project. Representatives from the Internal Security Agency (ABW), the NASK State Research Institute and the Ministry of Digital Affairs took part in the initiative.
The sessions focused on the safety of children and young people in the digital environment, with particular emphasis on the risks associated with radicalisation, extremism and the impact of content published online. Around 200 representatives of educational institution management teams took part in the events.
Experts from the Internal Security Agency presented issues relating to the process of radicalisation, ways of recognising warning signs and opportunities for taking preventive action at school level. Attention was drawn to the importance of early identification of worrying changes in young people’s behaviour and of responding appropriately to signs of interest in extremist ideologies.
Representatives from NASK, meanwhile, discussed the psychological mechanisms that increase young people’s susceptibility to the influence of radical online communities. It was emphasised that social media, instant messaging platforms and online communities – including those centred around gaming – can become spaces where extremist groups exploit young people’s natural needs for a sense of belonging, acceptance and understanding.
The events also provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of cooperation between state institutions, the educational community and bodies responsible for digital security. Effectively countering radicalisation requires not only identifying threats, but also building social resilience, developing critical thinking skills and providing teaching staff with the knowledge and tools to take appropriate action.
The “Protect Yourself Online” project, implemented by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and NASK in cooperation with the Internal Security Agency (ABW), also includes educational activities aimed directly at pupils and teachers. Free courses on topics such as online manipulation, radicalisation, critical thinking and digital resilience have been made available on the OSE IT Szkoła platform.
The Internal Security Agency’s involvement in the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the national system for countering radicalisation and extremism. Of particular importance in this regard is the development of multi-stakeholder cooperation and support for institutions that have direct contact with children and young people.
Early identification of threats, education and institutional cooperation are key elements in building society’s resilience to radicalisation and extremism.
Sources:
- NASK – Wczesna reakcja ma znaczenie. NASK uczy, jak przeciwdziałać radykalizacji (28.10.2026).
- OSE – „Broń się w necie” i radykalizacja – ruszył cykl spotkań dla dyrektorów szkół.
- Urząd Miasta Bydgoszczy – Dyrektorzy szkół o bezpieczeństwie dzieci i młodzieży.
- Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji – Rusza II edycja konkursu „Broń się w necie”.