How to recognize the recruitment of a child: the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Education have developed recommendations
During the war, children in Ukraine found themselves in a zone of increased risk not only due to shelling or evacuation, but also due to the purposeful work of the Russian special services, which are trying to involve schoolchildren in subversive activities. Most often – through anonymous Telegram channels, promises of easy money and lack of awareness of the consequences. The Ministry of Education and Science, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, developed a list of clear recommendations for parents and educators. Their goal is to help recognize early signs of recruitment and prevent children from becoming involved in criminal activities. The document was created within the framework of the “Safe School” program, which will be implemented from 2022.
what is happening
The ministry’s message states that in recent months there has been an increase in cases where teenagers are offered money for performing seemingly simple tasks. It can be drawing graffiti, pasting leaflets, photographing infrastructure objects. Escalation follows: transformers, post offices, and military vehicles are set on fire. Contact is established through Telegram, the child is convinced that she remains “in the shadows”, confidentiality and a reward are promised.
According to the security forces, these actions are coordinated by Russian structures or local agents working for the enemy. Children are used deliberately – as the least protected and least suspected group.
What adults should notice
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Internal Affairs urge parents and teachers to pay attention to changes in the child’s behavior. In particular:
– funds or equipment appear, the origin of which the teenager does not explain;
– noticeable increase in reclusiveness, reluctance to talk about one’s communication online;
– new acquaintances, especially through the Internet, which have no explanation;
– interest in topics not typical before — critical infrastructure, military facilities, explosives;
– mentions of “quick earnings” or the possibility of “easy side earnings”.
At school, teachers may notice sudden aloofness, absenteeism, poor performance, aggression, or, on the contrary, excessive secrecy.
what to do
Ministries recommend not to ignore the signs, not to shift responsibility to each other and not to wait for the situation to get out of control. Several courses of action are indicated in the document.
For parents, it is important to be aware of the child’s online life, not in the sense of total control, but at least to know with whom and through which platforms he communicates. It is also important to explain that “earning” through unknown sources is a potentially criminal history, not an after-school part-time job. It is worth talking about the possibility of recruitment as a phenomenon – without moralizing, but with facts.
For educators, conduct classes on information security and legal responsibility, pay attention to behavioral changes, and do not be afraid to contact law enforcement officers if there are suspicions.
Why is this important?
Ukrainian law enforcement officers record more and more cases when teenagers perform tasks that are classified as terrorist or subversive. Some of these cases are already being considered in the courts. And although we are often talking about children aged 14-17, the responsibility is quite real.
The new information campaign of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Internal Affairs should serve as a warning – not for “general development”, but as an instruction for actions in specific circumstances. Because the worst thing is to find out that the child has done something when the investigator is already calling.
