There has been an increasing number of incidents involving bullying, cyberbullying, and dating violence reported to the SOS Children’s Hotline (116 111), run by the Institute of Child Support (IAC), said Manuel Coutinho. A total of 48 cases have been reported this year, surpassing the number recorded in the entirety of 2024.
The president of IAC spoke to Lusa regarding a recent crime reported by the Judiciary Police, in which a group of youths coerced a 16-year-old victim into sexual acts, recorded them against her will, and shared the footage on social media.
The suspects are social media influencers with a significant following, and the incident, which occurred in February, was reported by Beatriz Ângelo Hospital, where the young girl received support.
According to Manuel Coutinho, such incidents highlight a troubling societal trend where unscrupulous individuals should not be role models. He expressed concern about young people’s vulnerability to uncritically accepting messages from self-proclaimed influencers.
“When influencers engage in criminal activities, they should be held accountable by the justice system, especially for grave offenses like sexual abuse,” he emphasized.
Considering the ages of the suspects, between 17 and 19, the psychologist stressed the need for psychological and psychiatric support, arguing that such behavior does not align with a normal mental state.
The IAC president also emphasized the necessity of significant support for the victim to overcome such a profound trauma.
Despite the increase in reports to the SOS Children’s Hotline, Coutinho urged the public to remain vigilant and report more incidents.
“Failing to report these cases makes one complicit. I am certain that there are many unreported cases of children whose rights are not being respected,” he noted.
“We are just beginning to address a very complex issue, and everyone—including the state, civil organizations, and the general population—must be attentive. This menace is akin to a pandemic, and the mental health and lives of our youth deserve all our care and attention,” he continued.
He urged people to be mindful of inappropriate social media content and report it so that the responsible parties can be held accountable.
According to Coutinho, society is going through a phase where boundaries appear absent, leading to situations indicating a failing educational model despite all efforts. “Everything is permitted, and in their quest for innovation, young people sometimes resort to inappropriate strategies, resulting in bullying, dating violence, and cyberbullying, which is deeply concerning,” he remarked.
He attributed the concern to a society being shaped without empathy, where educational values such as respect, education, and citizenship are sometimes overshadowed by influencers and technology, undermining human relationships.
