Poland is calling on major technology companies to strengthen content moderation and take faster action against online material promoting violence following a series of school stabbing attacks that raised concerns about public safety.
The Polish government has summoned representatives of major internet companies, including Google, Meta, TikTok, Discord and Telegram, urging them to do more to prevent the spread of violent content and online threats.
The meeting, held at the Digital Affairs Ministry on Friday, comes after three stabbing incidents within four days triggered a wave of online threats that left students and teachers concerned for their safety. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers to schools across the country to strengthen security.
Polish officials have expressed particular concern about online communities that glorify violence, promote Nazi ideology or idolise serial killers. The government argues that exposure to such content can negatively affect children and contribute to the spread of dangerous behaviour.
Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said Poland had reported 89 cases of illegal online content connected to the attacks between October 7 and October 12. According to the minister, internet companies failed to take action in approximately two-thirds of those cases.
Gawkowski stressed that online platforms should prevent content that encourages suicide, promotes criminal threats or glorifies acts of murder and physical violence.
Representatives of Google, Meta, TikTok, Discord and Telegram attended the meeting. The social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, was invited but did not participate, the minister said. The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Poland Moves to Strengthen Online Content Regulation
The government is accelerating legislation designed to make it easier and faster to remove harmful online material. The proposed measures reflect growing concerns about how digital platforms respond to reports of illegal content and threats to public safety.
The latest incidents include a stabbing at a further education college in Warsaw on October 10, in which three people were injured. Another attack occurred on October 8 in Leszczydol-Nowiny, northeast of Warsaw, where a 15-year-old former pupil killed a school caretaker and wounded two teachers.
The incidents have intensified pressure on authorities and technology companies to address both physical security risks and the online activity surrounding violent events.
Growing Pressure on Technology Companies
Poland’s action highlights a wider challenge facing social media companies as governments demand stronger safeguards against violent, extremist and illegal content.
Technology platforms must balance freedom of expression with their responsibility to respond to harmful material, particularly content that threatens individuals or encourages criminal behaviour.
For Poland, the immediate priority is to improve school safety, strengthen responses to online threats and ensure that reported illegal content receives appropriate attention.
The government’s proposed legislation could further shape the country’s approach to digital regulation as European governments continue to examine the responsibilities of major internet companies in protecting users, especially children.
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