Children’s Informed Consent in Social Science Research: Raising Questions About Practice in Serbia

Micić, Isidora and Pavlović, Svetlana and Radanović, Ana and Kovačević, Milica (2026) Children’s Informed Consent in Social Science Research: Raising Questions About Practice in Serbia. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. ISSN 1573-2797

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Abstract

Historically, children were considered passive subjects in research. Still, modern perspectives emphasize their role as active participants, supported by child rights discourses such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, numerous ethical and practical challenges arise when it comes to giving consent. This article explores the complexities of obtaining informed consent from children in social science research, focusing on Serbia as an example of a country without clear guidelines in this area. The absence of national protocols leaves researchers with the freedom and the responsibility to secure consent for research involving children. The article considers the role of researchers in this process and examines available resources, including alternative ways of obtaining consent. Particularly demanding is the ethical question of whether fixed age limits should determine when children can decide independently about their participation. The paper also addresses the psychological aspects of informed consent, as well as cultural and contextual differences in how it is obtained. The lack of clear provisions on children’s consent, combined with varying socio-cultural contexts and literacy levels, underscores the need for further exploration of these issues not only in developing countries but also in settings where education, legal systems, and health care could be more child-friendly. The authors discuss that age alone should not determine a child’s ability to consent. Based on the arguments developed throughout the paper, they argue that a more individualised and development-sensitive approach is required, one that is based on the child’s evolving capacities and the specific demands of the decision.

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