Younger adolescents’ perspectives on book censorship: a case of Croatia

Abstract This study explores the views of younger adolescents in Croatia regarding book censorship. Censorship, defined as systematic control of freedom of thought and expression, has a long history and continues to be relevant in modern times, targeting various age groups, particularly children and youth. The study explores historical and contemporary justifications for censoring books for young people, emphasizing the belief that children need protection from inappropriate content. This belief is rooted in the idea that children are intellectually and emotionally different from adults, necessitating a separate and protected period of childhood. The study involved a survey conducted among 62 seventh and eighth-grade students in Osijek, Croatia. Findings revealed that many adolescents have a superficial understanding of censorship, often associating it with the prohibition of offensive language. Despite this, over half of the respondents admitted to reading books deemed inappropriate for their age. The study highlights the need for further education on censorship and suggests that including adolescents in discussions about reading materials could be beneficial, as their perspectives often differ significantly from those of adults.