National Police launch a campaign to warn of the dangers of happy slapping

The National Police and Fundación SOL have initiated a new awareness campaign to promote the dangers of “happy slapping,” a form of violence among juveniles that entails the recording and subsequent sharing of physical, verbal, or sexual assaults on social media or messaging apps. The campaign, which is a component of the “We Are Their Best Network” initiative, concentrates on a practice that, according to both organisations, is becoming more prevalent in schools and online.

The objective of the initiative is to increase awareness of digital violence and prevent its normalisation among children and adolescents. They elucidate that the immediate recording and rapid dissemination of such incidents are facilitated by the increasing early access to mobile phones and social media platforms, which exacerbates the victim’s suffering beyond the initial aggression.

The term “happy slapping,” which is literally translated as “happy slap,” was coined in the United Kingdom in 2005. It describes a violent behaviour that has become increasingly prevalent in Spain in recent years, despite its apparent innocence. Its objective is frequently associated with the pursuit of online notoriety or popularity; however, the victim experiences a double victimisation as a result of the assault and its concurrent public exposure, which can endure indefinitely as a result of the viral dissemination of the content.

The context is also concerning because of the rise in violence among minors. In 2024, 12,563 assault offences committed by minors were recorded, which is 8% more than in 2022, according to data disclosed during the campaign. In the same year, 120 cases were initiated for homicide or attempted homicide committed by juveniles, which is an 18.8% increase from 2023 figures. In the view of the campaign’s organisers, this trend indicates that the severity of specific violent behaviours among young people is increasing.

Additionally, these behaviours are experiencing an increase in their digital dissemination. The initiative’s data indicates that WhatsApp (66.4%), Instagram (50.5%), and TikTok (49.5%) are the primary platforms through which these incidents occur or are disseminated. Additionally, they caution against the proliferation of artificial intelligence in this form of aggression: 14.2% of cyberbullying cases already involve the use of AI to generate fabricated images, videos, or audio recordings, or to impersonate the victim.

National Police Inspector Juan Cristóbal Cabiedas Pedraza has issued a warning that “Happy Slapping is a prevalent practice among minors that extends beyond the confines of the physical world and has a significant impact on the digital realm.” He emphasised the importance of fostering critical and responsible use of social media and new technologies among adolescents in order to ensure that they are cognisant of the repercussions of their actions.

She also reminded everyone that these actions are not to be taken lightly, as they have the potential to result in offences against moral integrity, assault, or threats, among other things. She also underscored that juveniles are criminally responsible from the age of 14, which means that the repercussions of this behaviour can have an impact on their adult lives.

Cyberbullying, school bullying, and happy smacking

The campaign also emphasises the close correlation between cyberbullying, school bullying, and joyful slapping. As per the data gathered by the promoting organisations, the aggressors are members of the victim’s immediate circle, including classmates or acquaintances, in 61% of the cases. In addition, 1,196 instances of bullying in schools were documented in 2024. However, it is acknowledged that the actual number may be higher due to underreporting or the internal management of certain cases within schools.

Claudia Caso, the director of Fundación SOL, elucidated that “the humiliation is multiplied when an assault is recorded and shared.” Not only is the physical or verbal injury present, but also the public exposure, the cruel comments, and the impossibility of forgetting. She further stated that one of the most concerning aspects is that a significant number of young people come to view these assaults as “content, not as violence.”

Both organisations underscore that both the perpetrator and those who record, share, or interact with the material on social media are complicit in the crime. Consequently, the campaign emphasises the importance of involving families, institutions, and society in the creation of safer digital environments and prevention.

Strategies for the prevention of digital violence among juveniles

The National Police and Fundación SOL emphasise the importance of not ignoring online violence and of engaging in conversations with children about it. They also underscore the significance of educating children about digital empathy and responsibility in order to prevent this behaviour from being perceived as normal.

Additionally, they believe it is crucial for adolescents to comprehend that each video contains a genuine victim, who may face legal and emotional repercussions. In this vein, they underscore that the act of recording or sharing an act of aggression also constitutes participation in it, and that refraining from sharing, remarking on, or liking such content is an active form of protection.

The recommendations also include the following: reporting the material to the platforms for removal, avoiding protracted exposure to violent content to prevent desensitisation, and always reporting these situations to break the chain of dissemination. They recommend that any potential digital evidence be preserved in advance when contemplating legal action.

The National Police and Fundación SOL are urging the responsible use of technology and the development of digital empathy in order to address the trend of violence being transformed into entertainment through this new campaign. They contend that a collaborative approach is necessary to prevent the normalisation of these aggressions in order to safeguard children and adolescents online.