Child and Family in Contemporary Society

[PRESENTATION OF ARTICLES]

In the journal Child and Family in Contemporary Society (Vol. 2, No. 2, 2025), an article by Matea Bodrožić Selak, Ph.D., Teaching Assistant, Marina Merkaš, Ph.D., Associate Professor, and Ana Žulec Ivanković, Ph.D., Senior Assistant, has been published under the title „Technology-Based Interruptions in Parent-Child Interactions: Systematic Review of Conceptualization and Measurement“.

A part of the abstract of this article is highlighted: „The aim of this systematic review is to clarify how technology-based interruptions in parent-child interactions resulting from parents’ smartphone use are termed, defined, and measured in the literature. For the review, predefined search strings were applied across six databases (APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar). The review protocol was pre-registered in PROSPERO. Study screening was conducted in ASReview. Study quality was appraised with the MMAT (2018). Following systematic evaluations, 105 studies were included in the review and categorized into three broad groups: smartphone use (n = 27), technoference (n = 40), and phubbing (n = 38). The findings indicate inconsistency in this field, with overlapping constructs and measurement approaches that lack consistent definitions. This review, clarifies the definitions of the concepts smartphone use, technoference, and phubbing, and examines their operational definitions and measurement instruments. (…)“.

The complete article (in English) is available at the following links: https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/496744 / https://ojs.srce.hr/dijeteiobitelj/article/view/38182.



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[INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES]

Creating equal opportunities for the next generation starts with strengthening and supporting the families that raise them.

Marking the International Day of Families on 15 May, this year's theme focuses on “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” highlighting the urgent need for integrated social protection to safeguard the development of the youngest members of our society.

You can publish your scientific research on this topic in the journal Child and Family in Contemporary Society.

More details about it at the following link: https://hrcak.srce.hr/ojs/index.php/dijeteiobitelj.

Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families

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[INDEXATION IN DIRECTORY OF OPEN ACCESS JOURNALS - DOAJ]

📣 We are pleased to announce that the journal Child and Family in Contemporary Society has been indexed in the DOAJ - Directory of Open Access Journals database: https://doaj.org/toc/3043-8535.

As a leading global index, DOAJ promotes the accessibility and impact of quality scholarly journals worldwide. It is dedicated to providing unrestricted access to verified research, supporting an equitable and transparent scientific community.

The Editorial Board wishes to express its appreciation to all authors and reviewers, whose dedication significantly enhances the quality and global visibility of the journal.

Prospective authors are invited to submit their manuscripts for consideration in upcoming issues via the following link: https://ojs.srce.hr/dijeteiobitelj/index.

Source/Photo: https://doaj.org/

[PRESENTATION OF ARTICLES]

In the journal Child and Family in Contemporary Society (Vol. 2, No. 2, 2025), an article by Ivan Ćaleta, Master of Social Work, has been published under the title „From 'Child Po*******hy' to 'Child Sexual Abuse Material' (CSAM: The Necessity of Terminological Change in Scientific, Legal, and Public Discourse“.

A part of the abstract of this article is highlighted: „The widely used term ‘child po*******hy’ represents a linguistically and legally problematic construct that minimizes crime severity, implies consent, and stigmatizes victims. This paper argues for the necessity of replacing this term with ‘Child Sexual Abuse Material’ (CSAM). Based on an analysis of relevant literature, the paper deconstructs the concept of po*******hy in order to highlight its incompatibility with contexts involving child sexual abuse. Conversely, CSAM is identified as a precise alternative that defines the material as evidence of a crime, placing the child victim at the center of analysis. The paper examines the evolution of international legal standards, from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to the Lanzarote Convention, which increasingly advocate abandoning the outdated terminology. Special focus is placed on the Republic of Croatia, where a critical analysis of Article 163 of the Criminal Code and official statistics reveals a significant discrepancy between national legal practice and international recommendations. (…)“.

The complete article (in English) is available at the following links: https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/496742 / https://ojs.srce.hr/dijeteiobitelj/article/view/38968.



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[PRESENTATION OF ARTICLES]

In the journal Child and Family in Contemporary Society (Vol. 2, No. 2, 2025), an article by Folake Bejide, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, has been published under the title „Corporal Punishment and Physical Violence: a Legal and Criminological Appraisal of Disciplinary Practices in Nigerian Schools“.

A part of the abstract of this article is highlighted: „This paper critically appraises the persistent use of corporal punishment and physical violence as disciplinary measures in Nigerian schools. Despite the existence of international and national legal provisions safeguarding children’s rights to dignity and protection from harm, the Nigerian educational system continues to normalise violent disciplinary practices. The objective of the study is to examine the legal, cultural, and criminological dimensions of corporal punishment in Nigerian schools and to assess whether these practices align with established legal standards and the best interests of the child. Adopting a doctrinal methodology, the paper analyses domestic legal instruments such as the Criminal Code, Penal Code, and the Child Rights Act alongside international human rights frameworks including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The study also draws on criminological literature and media reports to contextualise the socio-legal implications of corporal punishment. In addition, selected case studies and media-reported incidents are examined to illustrate the practical realities of enforcement and institutional response. The selection of these case studies is guided by their relevance to recurring legal and procedural gaps, as well as their representation of diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts. (…)“.

The complete article (in English) is available at the following links: https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/496740 / https://ojs.srce.hr/dijeteiobitelj/article/view/37518.



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Artificial intelligence exerts an increasing influence on daily life, as well as on scientific research. While it enhances productivity and opens new horizons for research on one hand, artificial intelligence simultaneously poses a risk—among others—of overloading the scientific system with an excessive volume of publications.

You can find more about the challenges of AI in social sciences at this link: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-train-has-left-the-station-agentic-ai-and-the-future-of-social-science-research/.

The train has left the station: Agentic AI and the future of social science research | Brookings A new era of agentic AI agents has begun. What does it mean for social scientists? Solomon Messing and Joshua Tucker discuss.

[WORLD DOWN SINDROME DAY]

21 March marks World Down Syndrome Day, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about Down syndrome, advocating for the rights of individuals with the condition, and fostering a deeper understanding of their needs, abilities, and social inclusion.

The central theme for World Down Syndrome Day 2026 is "Together Against Loneliness." This year's focus highlights how social isolation significantly impacts individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Loneliness is not just an emotional burden; it can lead to further health complications and social challenges.

It is the collective responsibility of both individuals and institutions to foster an inclusive environment where people with Down syndrome feel truly seen, heard, and accepted.

You can publish your scientific research on this topic in the journal Child and Family in Contemporary Society.

More details about it at the following link: https://hrcak.srce.hr/ojs/index.php/dijeteiobitelj.

Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/down-syndrome-day

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[WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2026]

Under the theme “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society,” World Social Work Day 2026 emphasizes the critical role of social work in fostering the development of an inclusive society.

The promotion of social inclusion and the appreciation of diversity have become more vital than ever; social workers, serving on the front lines of human rights advocacy, are uniquely positioned to guarantee the protection and preservation of these fundamental values.

Happy World Social Work Day to all the dedicated professionals on the front lines! Thank you for your tireless efforts in promoting inclusion and protecting the dignity of every individual.

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[PRESENTATION OF ARTICLES]

In the journal Child and Family in Contemporary Society (Vol. 2, No. 2, 2025), an article by Slađana Aras Kramar, Ph.D., Full Professor, has been published under the title „Child and Family Dispute: On the Method of Exercise of Fundamental Procedural Rights“.

A part of the abstract of this article is highlighted: „The aim of the paper is to analyse the methods of exercising a child’s right to express his or her views in Croatian law, taking into account the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on Child-Friendly Justice, as well as the normative frameworks and practices of selected European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, and England). The paper also discusses the child’s right to a special representative in procedural legal situations involving disputes between parents on matters of parental care. The focus of the analysis is on theoretical issues and on practical aspects of implementation, particularly with regard to the scope and content of the actions undertaken by the special guardian as the child’s representative. A central question addressed is whether the special guardian represents the child’s best interests or the child’s expressed views. Research shows that children are marginalised by advocating the principle of the best interests of the child, which is often invoked to prevent the child from being heard altogether. (…)“.

The complete article (in Croatian) is available at the following links: https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/496738 / https://ojs.srce.hr/dijeteiobitelj/article/view/36809.



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[INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY]

International Women’s Day is observed as a reminder of the importance of equality, respect for rights, and the dignity of all women and girls.

Under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”, International Women’s Day 2026 conveys a strong message about the importance of eliminating discriminatory and harmful social and legal practices that result in the marginalization of women in society.

Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day / Foto: www.freepik.com