Between June 2 and 9, 2026, students from the Małe Trójmiasto Kaszubskie Primary School No. 2 in Reda participated in preventive workshops as part of the project 'Echo of Relationships: Preventing Digital Addiction in the Age of Artificial Empathy.'

Over four days, we conducted 12 two-hour sessions, totaling 24 hours of preventive education focused on one of the greatest challenges for modern youth: navigating social media and building a responsible online image. The workshop, titled 'My Digital Shadow – How Technology Takes Control of My Image,' explored how algorithms, likes, and comments influence self-perception and self-worth.

Rather than imposing bans, the sessions provided a space for reflection. Students mapped their 'digital shadows'—the traces left by comments, likes, and shared content—to understand how their online actions shape their public image. A significant portion of the discussion addressed the pressure of perfectionism. We analyzed why social media often presents an idealized, curated version of life, leading to stress and feelings of inadequacy when compared to others' highlight reels.

Key questions guided the dialogue: Does my profile reflect who I am, or just a version I want others to see? Do I post for myself or for validation? Can I put my phone down without anxiety? We emphasized that online popularity is not a measure of human value. True self-worth should be rooted in real-world relationships, talents, and character, not digital metrics.

These workshops aimed to foster conscious technology use and protect students from the addiction to social validation. By naming emotions like the fear of missing out (FOMO) and the pressure to be constantly available, students learned to regain control over their attention and emotions.

We thank the students of Primary School No. 2 in Reda for their openness and the school staff for their cooperation. We believe that fostering a healthy relationship with technology is essential, ensuring that the internet remains a space for inspiration rather than a source of anxiety.

This project was funded by the City of Reda as part of the 2026 public task competition for addiction prevention, with a grant of 79,800.00 PLN.