Overview
- The Basque prosecutor’s 2024 report details 53 court-investigated cases—about one per week—with a strong cyberbullying component, particularly on Instagram.
- Most incidents involved students aged 12 to 15, with victims including children with mental-health issues or disabilities, and at least one case led to self-harm.
- Judicial follow-through was limited: roughly 40% of files were closed because suspects were under 14, only two cases went to trial, and just one ended in conviction.
- Authorities note school protocols and regional programs are not resolving cases, with many victims changing schools and a Bilbao court ordering €40,000 over a center’s inaction.
- Public commentary now calls for a standalone bullying offense and potential school liability, while experts warn mediation is inappropriate and cite data showing 12.3% of primary and lower-secondary students report bullying exposure.