This was stated by the head of juvenile police, Vasyl Bohdan, during a TV broadcast, as reported by Ukrinform.
“Currently, we observe issues related to bullying, including cyberbullying, violence, sexual assault, fraud, and dangerous online acquaintances. There are numerous conflict situations resulting in physical injuries to children. The involvement of children in illegal activities, including online, also requires attention,” he noted.
According to Bohdan, cases of online fraud, recruitment, and manipulation on social media and messengers are not isolated incidents.
“The most challenging aspect here is that children often do not perceive the situation as dangerous themselves. What seems like ordinary acquaintance or communication on a messenger can gradually lead to consequences that the child may not fully realize. A perpetrator might initially become a friend to the child and then exploit that trust,” stated the police officer.
He specifically highlighted the problem of social networks, messengers, and online games: “Children feel in their usual environment there and may not even realize they are communicating not just with a person, but with someone who is deliberately recruiting them. Therefore, it is important here to explain to children not only what they should not do, but also how to recognize such manipulation.”
Read also: 44 instances of children being recruited by Russian special services recorded in Kharkiv region – Prosecutor’s Office
In this regard, Bohdan urged parents to pay attention not so much to the phone and its contents, but to changes in the child’s behavior.
If a child suddenly becomes very withdrawn, nervous, starts hiding things, changes their social circle, acquires unexplained money or gifts, or constantly discusses potential earnings or tasks with friends, this is a reason to talk to the child.
“Phrases like, ‘I can’t tell you, it’s a secret,’ or ‘I was told no one should know’ are also cause for concern,” the law enforcement officer stated.
He explained that the issue is not about monitoring every message a child sends, but about ensuring they know that if someone online asks them to do something strange, secret, dangerous, or unclear, they should first tell an adult.
Trust is particularly crucial in this regard.
“There’s no need to start with shouting and punishment. If a child fears that for any problem, especially online, they will have their phone taken away, be punished, or condemned, they will simply hide the problem. Therefore, parents should establish a rule: ‘Tell me about the danger, and we will first protect you, and then figure out what happened,'” concluded the head of juvenile police, emphasizing that this is much more effective than total control.
Read also: How to protect children from enemy recruitment online – police recommendations
As Ukrinform reported, Russian special services use recruitment of children through online games to gather intelligence or carry out sabotage. The adversary disguises criminal tasks as “quests” or “game missions.”
Photo: Bring Kids Back UA
Оригінал статті: www.ukrinform.ua