The latest social media trend is causing concern not only for the Dutch police, but also for parents and children, particularly in Lansingerland. In ‘jumping’, random teenagers are jumped on and assaulted, whilst others film it and share the footage via Snapchat. “But this phenomenon is not new. It’s about seeking attention and belonging.” That’s according to Dr Daniel Trottier, associate professor of media and communication at ESHCC, speaking to NRC and RTL Nieuws.
Trottier says that it is precisely the fear of trends like this that allows them to spread. "It often has to do with seeking attention, especially when they film and share the footage. Another factor is identity and belonging; peer pressure, but also aggression. The desire to be part of a group plays a role. They sometimes do this by hurting each other or by hurting people who don’t belong to the group,” he explains. According to Trottier, this dynamic is amplified by social media. “Online, there is always pressure to go one step further. That applies to harmless videos, but also to this kind of content.”
Trends like this recur regularly, says Trottier. The term ‘jumping’ is new, but he cites earlier trends such as the ‘Knockout Game’ in the United States or ‘Happy Slapping’ in the United Kingdom. These are all forms of senseless violence in which random people are attacked whilst someone else films it.
According to Trottier, discussing such trends can be a challenge for parents. “It has actually always been that way, even before the advent of the mobile phone. Peer pressure is particularly strong here and can lead children to do things they later regret. The long-term consequences of posting images online in which you harm others are significant. Once it’s online, you lose control over it: how people interpret it, who they share it with and how they react to it.”
- Researcher
