The YouTubers suspected of having illegal contact with underage girls will be investigated, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced Wednesday, after it was revealed that several content creators were involved in attempted sexual relations with minors.
Morawiecki’s announcement came after Sylwester Wardęga revealed on Tuesday that his fellow YouTuber Stuart Burton, known under the pseudonym “Stuu”, attempted to initiate sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl. This was followed by similar cases involving other popular Polish YouTubers.
“Yesterday we heard the story of a man who – in all likelihood – used his Internet fame to harm underage girls,” Morawiecki told the media on Wednesday.
He added that the Polish state and NGOs “and all people of goodwill” must do everything to prevent such “horrible” situations in the future.
According to Morawiecki, the case that has been revealed may be the tip of the iceberg. The prime minister explained that what happens in online chat rooms is protected by privacy law; therefore, not everyone may know that one of the young people is being harmed.
An investigation into the case will nevertheless be launched, he added. “As a parent and prime minister, I believe the Polish state must also do everything to – while maintaining and respecting privacy – protect children and young people from trauma (…) that has its source in the online world.”
Morawiecki tasked the appropriate services to deal with the issue, expecting “quick and decisive action.” He warned that nobody “who wants to harm children” will go unpunished.
Morawiecki also announced that his government would strengthen the team of dyzurnet.pl, a special website that reports illegal content on the Internet. He said a special contact point for young people will be created there.
Deputy Justice Minister Jacek Cieplicka said he referred the suspected YouTubers’ case to the prosecutor’s office “to verify whether more cases of such prohibited behaviour has occurred.”
Commenting on Morawiecki’s announcement, private radio journalist Tomasz Terlikowski of RMF FM noted that the state paedophilia commission has been without a head since April when former head Błażej Kmieciak resigned.
Since then, the ruling conservative camp has been unable to agree on who should become Kmieciak’s successor, Terlikowski said.
(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)
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