Portugal authorities warn of social media misinformation regarding child safety

Social media platforms in Portugal are seeing a surge in warnings regarding alleged suspicious behavior and attempted kidnappings of children in public parks and gardens. These posts, often shared thousands of times across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, frequently use urgent tones that trigger emotional responses from parents and caregivers.

Authorities, including the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) and the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP), have noted that the majority of these online reports do not correspond to formal complaints. Investigations often reveal these claims to be false alarms, misunderstandings of everyday situations, or misinformation recycled from old or international incidents. While official data from organizations like APAV and the Instituto de Apoio à Criança indicate that crime against minors is increasing, they note that such incidents predominantly occur in different contexts rather than in public parks.