児童vs子供, when to use each of them?


The other day, I went to a bookstore and saw that there was a "児童" section,
which means children's section. But more often in books, I see "子供" used
instead. When to use each of them?




児童 is defined in the School Education Act as children from the age of six to
twelve who goes to elementary school and in some laws like the Child Welfare
Act as children under eighteen.

児童 is used in formal names like 児童養護施設 (children's institution), 児童相談所 (child
consultation center), etc. That is to say, 児童 is a formal and legal word for
children whose age is under eighteen.

子供 generally means a child as indicated in the following link,
[こども【子供】](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/80747/meaning/m0u/%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B/)

