Polish Parliament Bans Streaming of Illegal and Degrading Acts
The Sejm approved legislation on June 11 that criminalizes broadcasting illegal acts, animal abuse, or degrading treatment online, targeting so-called 'pato-content' popular among teenagers.
Poland's parliament (Sejm) approved new legislation on June 11, 2026, that will make it a criminal offense to stream or broadcast illegal, abusive, or degrading acts online. The bill targets the growing phenomenon of "pato-content"—extreme or shocking videos that have gained popularity, especially among young people.
What the Law Prohibits
The bill would make it a crime to publicly disseminate content depicting the commission of a prohibited act that is punishable by imprisonment, an act involving animal abuse, or degrading treatment of another person, even with their consent; those found guilty could be jailed for up to three years, rising to five years if the prohibited act is against a minor. Those who simulate commissioning a prohibited act, even if they do not actually carry it out, would also be punished.
Responding to a Youth Phenomenon
The legislation responds to widespread consumption of extreme content by Polish teenagers. A 2019 report by the Empowering Children Foundation in collaboration with Poland's commissioner for human rights found that 37% of children aged 13 to 15 admitted to having watched "pato-content" online, with 43% of those saying they did so at least once a week; however, a large majority of those teenagers, 82%, said that they believed such content should be banned.
The law has garnered cross-party support and is seen as an effort to protect minors from exposure to harmful content while also discouraging creators from producing and distributing such material.
What This Means for Foreign Residents
If you create online content, stream, or share videos in Poland, be aware that this new law sets strict boundaries. Broadcasting or sharing content that depicts illegal acts, animal cruelty, or degrading behavior—even staged or consensual—could lead to serious criminal penalties. The law applies to anyone operating in Poland, regardless of nationality. If you manage social media accounts or run a content platform, review your posting practices to ensure compliance. For parents of school-age children, the legislation reflects Poland's growing concern about online harms and may lead to more educational initiatives around safe internet use.
