DistantNews
Support us
🇭🇷 Croatia /Culture & Society

Before schools reopen, Croatia’s children’s ombudswoman issues warning: “Behind profiles are real people, not avatars”

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Croatia’s children’s ombudswoman urged students to participate actively in school communities while respecting their responsibilities and other people’s differences.
  • She warned children to think carefully before speaking, writing, snapping or recording one another online, and to involve adults if conflicts cannot be resolved peacefully.
  • Her back-to-school message also addressed road safety, parental involvement, professional conduct by school staff and the need to improve school conditions.

As the new school year begins, Croatia’s children’s ombudswoman Tatjana Katkić Stanić has urged students to be active, considerate and careful both at school and online.

Learn about your rights and participate in decision-making, but do not forget that you also have duties that you must fulfill and respect.

· Tatjana Katkić StanićThe children’s ombudswoman urged students to balance participation with responsibility.

She encouraged children to learn about their rights, take part in decisions and propose changes in their school communities. At the same time, she reminded them that they also have duties to fulfill and respect. She asked them to respect teachers, school leaders, professional and support staff, and their classmates, while accepting and showing understanding for differences.

Katkić Stanić urged students to resolve conflicts peacefully and seek help from adults when that does not work. “Be careful what you say, write, snap or record about one another,” she warned. She added that social media profiles do not belong to avatars, but to real people with feelings and fears that may resemble their own.

Be careful what you say, write, snap or record about one another.

· Tatjana Katkić StanićHer warning addressed students’ behavior on social media and in digital communications.

She also called on children to cross roads at pedestrian crossings, follow traffic signs and use protective equipment when riding bicycles, scooters and roller skates. Parents, she said, should stay involved in their children’s education while allowing them to complete tasks independently. They should listen to their children’s views, explain their decisions, watch for changes and cooperate with schools.

Behind social media profiles are not avatars, but real people with feelings and fears that may be similar to those you are experiencing yourselves.

· Tatjana Katkić StanićShe emphasized the human impact of online interactions.

The ombudswoman called on education workers to act professionally, responsibly and patiently with children and parents. She also urged authorities to speed up school renovations and ensure adequate conditions for children’s education.

Listen to and respect their thoughts, try to explain your decisions to them.

· Tatjana Katkić StanićThe advice was directed at parents as the school year began.
About this summary

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog