The dynamic development of digital media and the migration of a significant portion of social life into the online sphere have fundamentally transformed the way we perceive a person\u2019s image. Today, image is an exceptionally broad concept\u2014it is no longer merely a visual representation but has become an autonomous form of expression, a tool for building identity, and the foundation of our digital presence. The internet now offers unprecedented opportunities for developing creativity, sharing passions, and shaping one\u2019s own voice in the public sphere. Active participation in this world enables the natural acquisition of key digital, social, and communication skills. On the other hand, this dynamic reality brings with it serious legislative challenges and threats, such as deepnude technology, identity theft, and cyber-kidnapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group that most fully explores these new forms of digital self-expression, while at the same time being particularly exposed to the darker sides of online activity, is minors. Every day, social media platforms are flooded with thousands of pieces of content created by children and adolescents. For young people, publishing their image can be a manifestation of independence, a form of peer-to-peer dialogue, and a learning opportunity\u2014it is through their digital presence that they learn how they are perceived, how to interpret feedback from others, and how to use their own image consciously and responsibly. There is also an ongoing and significant debate regarding the sharing of images online and the rules governing such sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This phenomenon also has an economic and social dimension. As rightly noted by Adriana Denys-Starzec, M.A., in her presentation, trends such as kids influencing and profit sharenting are becoming increasingly common. While, on the one hand, they may provide families with satisfaction and even help develop unique market and media-related skills among children, by their very nature they involve the commercial exploitation of a minor\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On June 2, 2026, representatives of AJ Law \u2013 Dr. Joanna Ucha\u0144ska and Agata Nowak \u2013 had the pleasure of participating in a scientific meeting organized by the Department of Civil Law at the University of Warsaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting was devoted to the presentation by Adriana Denys-Starzec, M.A., of the principal theses of her doctoral dissertation currently in preparation, concerning the right to a minor\u2019s image and its protection. The presentation provided an opportunity to discuss the research assumptions underlying her work, identify the key issues that form the subject of her analysis, and create a space for discussion on the problems presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of these aspects\u2014from positive self-expression and the acquisition of competencies to the risks of commercialization\u2014demonstrate how multidimensional an image has become, both as a social phenomenon and as a legal instrument. Contemporary challenges concern not only the protection of data itself but, above all, education on how image should be perceived and managed wisely. This creates an urgent need to examine the catalogue of issues presented in Adriana Denys-Starzec\u2019s doctoral dissertation and to analyze current legal frameworks governing a minor\u2019s right to their image and the limits of its protection in an ever-evolving digital world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her presentation, the doctoral candidate addressed the ambiguity of the concept of \u201cimage.\u201d The paper analyzed how this concept is understood under civil law compared to its meaning in copyright law. The author emphasized the need to adapt the legal framework governing image rights to contemporary social needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are children, due to their age, capable of making a rational assessment of whether a given action infringes upon their personal rights? In this context, the discussion addressed the limits of parental authority in allowing parents to consent to the dissemination of a child\u2019s image while disregarding the child\u2019s own attitude toward the decision made by their guardians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attention was drawn to the need for interpreting and regulating legal provisions in such a way that, while guided by the principle of protecting the best interests of the child, the child\u2019s autonomy is not violated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her presentation, Ms. Denys-Starzec emphasized the need to make use of the institution of hearing the child, highlighting the significant role that the child\u2019s wishes should play as the holder of the legal interest at stake. On the one hand, a minor may not wish for their image to be disseminated; on the other hand, they may actively seek such dissemination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this point, the need was emphasized to determine the extent to which a minor should be free to decide whether to authorize the dissemination of their own image from the perspective of the child\u2019s best interests, taking into account contemporary social realities and the growing need among minors to share their image online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the discussion that followed Ms. Denys-Starzec\u2019s presentation, participants in the scientific meeting addressed issues related both to the theoretical foundations of the protection of personal rights and to the practical consequences of the adopted solutions for participants in legal transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The subject matter of the seminar is particularly relevant to the practice of AJ Law. Cases concerning image rights and the protection of personal rights constitute one of the pillars of our law firm\u2019s practice. For this reason, the opportunity to become acquainted with the latest directions in academic research, as well as to participate in the discussion within an academic environment, provided a valuable experience and an opportunity to deepen reflection on issues that regularly arise in the practice of AJ Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this context, the analyses prepared by AJ Law Partner Aleksandra Diskau, Attorney-at-Law, are also worth reading. They address the issues discussed above in the following articles: \u201cFamily Ties as a Personal Right\u201d and \u201cOnline Hate Speech and Personal Rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you have questions about image rights and their exploitation? We invite you to contact us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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