Trends- Happy Slapping?

Merika · 05-04-2005, 07:19 PM

I'm sure some of you have seen the news casts on the disturbing new trend emerging with the way some teens overseas are using cell picture capacity phones to videotape themselves slapping innocent bystanders.

The pictures may be a little fuzzy, but the pain is real in a disturbing and bizarre violent craze that's gripping many British teenagers.

"Happy slapping is essentially a violent crime caught on camera," says Andrew Buckingham, from a victim support group.

Indications that "happy-slapping" may be spreading. British transport police investigating 200 incidents in the last six months.

Most, they say, go unreported.
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I think it's a good possibility it is happening elsewhere...outside of the UK. Anyone have any opinions?

And because more teenagers are using phones with video capacity, and more can use phones to videotape their victims.

The attackers then upload the video straight from the phone and onto the web, where there are dozens of images of slap-hapless victims.

"They want to capture the immediate effect, the immediate reactions of the victims of crime, the shock, the surprise," Buckingham says.

Authorities say the craze was born in the club music scene, before catching on in school playgrounds.

Police were hoping to capture teens on closed circuit tv as they do other violent criminals, but the offenders are using public spaces, public transportation, like London's famed double-decker buses.

Now with half of 7 to 16 year olds owning phones, parents and authorities are hoping the new craze stops before the violence evolves into something even worse.

Reports from the UK

darkangelism · 05-04-2005, 07:31 PM

wow, if somebody slapped me id break their hand.

Duke · 05-04-2005, 11:31 PM

This is also an emerging problem with bullying and recording it in this manner.

Merika · 05-06-2005, 08:59 AM

It's sad when this type of behavior is condidered acceptable entertainment. I mentioned it to my kids and Sn00py thought it was funny.

I wonder if years of internet stunt jokes and stupid teen programming on TV have made kids numb to this sort of thing? It's like 'slap-stick'...but out of hand.

Star · 05-06-2005, 09:07 AM

it's another form of bullying. If anyone slapped me while i'm walking down the street, I'd grab the little bugger, take his phone and call the police.

what will they do next? stab a person to capture their faces? unbelievable!

Merika · 05-06-2005, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star

what will they do next? stab a person to capture their faces? unbelievable!

It'll probably become the main source of porn reality media before long.

Duke · 05-06-2005, 05:08 PM

I find it odd that no one seems to have captured extra terrestrial footage on one of these things yet.

Vautrin · 05-06-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke

I find it odd that no one seems to have captured extra terrestrial footage on one of these things yet.

Given the sheer stupidity of some people you would think they at least have proven that intelligence in any form or matter is not common to all people. If that is a proof of aliens amongst us, is to be doubted however.

Duke · 05-06-2005, 05:35 PM

There really is no such thing as common sense, because it certainly isn't all that common.