The #NotMyNormal (#ToNieJestNormalne) campaign is rapidly gaining momentum, demanding substantial change. Amid growing threats to the youngest internet users, more than 40 leading figures from the worlds of culture, science, and social activism have signed an open letter urging politicians to take swift action to enhance online child safety. The initiative, part of the broader #NotMyNormal campaign, underscores the urgent need to amend legislation and introduce regulations to protect children from online sexual abuse.

A year after the eruption of the 'Pandora Gate' scandal, which exposed widespread online child sexual abuse, laws addressing child grooming—defined as manipulation aimed at exploiting children for sexual purposes—remain unchanged. Social activists aligned with the #NotMyNormal campaign continue to push for the adoption of new legislation.

The letter's signatories highlight a stark statistic: "Nearly 6 in 10 adult Poles report experiencing some form of online sexual abuse during childhood. We urge policymakers to clarify what new measures will be introduced to combat online child abuse."

Among those endorsing the letter are Renata Durda, head of the Niebieska Linia (Blue Line) hotline for victims of domestic violence; child psychologist Dominika Słomińska; journalist Piotr Jacoń; digital artist Karol Paciorek; and music producer Piotr Szulc, also known as ‘Steez’.

Activists highlight the concerning delay in adopting crucial legislation proposed by the European Commission (EC) to protect children from online abuse. Despite its importance, the European Parliament has yet to pass the legislation, stalling its implementation across EU Member States. The proposed regulations aim to streamline the detection and reporting of online child abuse while preventing the circulation of abusive content.

The EC's proposals include mandatory monitoring of communications and social media platforms using artificial intelligence, default privacy settings for underage users, and effective age verification systems. Maja Staśko, campaign ambassador and social activist, underscores the importance of these changes: "We want the new regulations to require online platforms to assess their risk of being exploited for child sexual abuse and take concrete steps to minimise that risk."

The widespread availability of the internet has made it easier for offenders to contact children and distribute child sexual abuse material. The numbers are staggering, with nearly 30 million reports of suspected online child sexual abuse in 2021 alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem, underscoring the need for a swift and comprehensive response.

As part of the #NotMyNormal campaign, research revealed that 57% of Poles reported experiencing inappropriate comments, images, or sexual advances from adults while they were underage. Among women aged 18-25, this figure soared to 76%, highlighting the alarming scale of the issue.

Social activists, artists, and campaigners involved in the #NotMyNormal initiative are calling for an immediate response from both politicians and technology companies. In addition to legislative changes, Maja Staśko stresses the need for an independent EU centre dedicated to preventing and combating child sexual abuse: "It is essential that we not only pass new regulations but also establish robust international cooperation to protect the youngest internet users, who face terrifying online dangers every day."