Katarzyna Nowicka is a Brand Manager at CenterNet S.A., where she is responsible for brand positioning and communication. She is a co-author of CenterNet’s social action - "My First Mobile".

Her career has been associated with the children’s market for 10 years. She contributed to the market success of Bartek – the most popular and valued children’s shoe brand in Poland. As Marketing Director, she was responsible for the development and implementation of Bartek’s marketing strategy. She is also the author of the Bartek Healthy Foot Academy – a prevention programme for children.

Katarzyna Nowicka graduated from the Higher School of Management and Marketing in Warsaw and from the Brand Strategy School.

Parallel session: Teaching children about Internet safety
Presentation topic: "My first mobile phone" campaign 

The number of mobile phones used by children is growing dynamically. During the past 2 years the number of children possessing their own mobile phones has grown by nearly 30%.* Children adapt easily to the world of technological innovations, but they often do not realize or fail to remember about the basic principles of using a mobile phone. 

What do young users seek in mobile phones? What is more important to them – gadgets such as a large colour display, music and photo functions, or the possibility to use the basic functions of the mobile phone? How do parents feel about the fact that their children possess their own mobiles? What are the principles of reasonable and safe use of mobile phones? 

The action called "My First Mobile" tries to answer these questions. It is the first Polish initiative addressing the problem of education about how to use mobile phones in a wise and secure way. The action teaches the mobile phone etiquette, safety rules that help to avoid unpleasant situations related to the possession of a mobile phone, and the principles of responsibility for oneself and for others. 

The main character of the campaign, Fonio, tells children – drawing on his own experience – about how to use their first mobiles. Fonio’s instructions constitute a user’s manual that should be carefully read by every young user before entering the mobile world. 

"My First Mobile" has been carried out since September 2008 as part of the corporate social responsibility strategy adopted by CenterNet S.A. – a new mobile network operator in Poland.