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Faculty of Psychology , PIM University , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Public Secondary School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Lukavac, Public Secondary School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Lukavac , Lukavac , Bosnia and Herzegovina
This paper explores the experiences of children and adolescents regarding safety and violence in the virtual world, based on data collected through focus groups involving 110 participants aged 6 to 18. Participants describe their daily use of digital technologies, highlighting issues such as disregard for privacy, exposure to violent content, visiting pornographic websites, and sexting. Children often report feeling safe in virtual environments, while at the same time admitting to sharing personal information, accessing inappropriate content, and consuming violence as entertainment. The results suggest that the virtual world is increasingly becoming a space without clear boundaries, where risks are masked by interactivity and amusement. The study points to an urgent need for systemic education on digital safety and the implementation of clear guidelines for internet use among children and adolescents.
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