Zagreb Police Warn Parents of Alarming Data Among Minors: 'Watch Your Children'

Zagreb police are issuing a strong warning to parents, emphasizing the critical need for heightened supervision of children during the ongoing school holidays. With the usual school routine and adult oversight absent, police highlight that children can inadvertently engage in behavior that carries legal implications, either as perpetrators or victims.

"Children are sometimes unaware that with certain behavior, they can enter the area of misdemeanor or criminal liability, either as perpetrators or as victims. That is precisely why the role of adults remains key – in guidance, protection, conversation, and timely recognition of risks," the police stated. They stressed that schools serve as protective environments where trusted adults can notice behavioral changes, a role that diminishes during holidays.

Parents are encouraged to maintain open communication, asking children daily about their well-being and concerns to foster a trusting relationship. Police also advise ensuring children know who to turn to for help, including parents, trusted adults, or the police themselves. Maintaining a routine, even during holidays, is important, particularly regarding where children are, who they associate with, and how they spend their time, especially in the evenings.

Police also called for attention to behavioral changes such as withdrawal, anxiety, altered sleep or eating patterns, loss of interest, or unexplained injuries. They recommended discussing safe social behavior, conflict avoidance, and seeking help. Children should be directed to move away from conflicts, find an older person, and avoid unsafe locations like abandoned buildings or bodies of water. Furthermore, police warned about online safety, advising parents to discuss apps, games, and online interactions, set clear rules for device usage, and ensure children do not share personal information.

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Children are sometimes unaware that with certain behavior, they can enter the area of misdemeanor or criminal liability, either as perpetrators or as victims. That is precisely why the role of adults remains key – in guidance, protection, conversation, and timely recognition of risks.