Freedom on Social Networks

Threats and Coercion in Light of Article 20.1 of the Spanish Constitution

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62161/revvisual.v17.6112

Keywords:

Social networks, Anonymity, Harassment, Coercion, Threats, Precautionary measures

Abstract

The enormous growth of the Internet in recent decades has led to the emergence of numerous online dangers, leaving victims increasingly exposed. The prevalence of crimes such as harassment, threats, and coercion on social media continues to rise, with the anonymity of perpetrators facilitating these offences. As a result, victims often experience heightened feelings of helplessness and fear for their safety, unable to identify or verify the authenticity of the threats or coercion they face.
There is an urgent need to implement measures aimed at preventing these behaviours while also regulating anonymity on social media, ensuring that such measures fundamentally respect the right to freedom of expression. Addressing this evolving social reality within the digital context is crucial for the effective regulation of crimes occurring on social networks. It is essential to establish safe spaces for victims and prevent the recurrence of criminal behaviour on these platforms.

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References

Alonso García, J. (2015): Derecho Penal y Redes Sociales, Editorial Thomson Reuters Aranzadi, Pamplona.

Fernández, R. (2024): El uso de Internet a nivel mundial. Datos estadísticos (August 23, 2024), Retrieved from: https://es.statista.com/temas/9795/el-uso-de-internet-en-el-mundo/#topFacts (accessed 10/01/2025).

Fraile Coloma, C. y Javato Martín, J. (2015): “Delitos contra la libertad”, in Comentarios prácticos al Código Penal. Vol. 2: Los delitos contra las personas, artículos 138-233, Manuel Gómez Tomillo (dir.), Editorial Thomson Reuters Aranzadi, Pamplona, pp. 325-398.

Guzmán Floja, V. C., (2018): “Juicios paralelos en las redes sociales y proceso penal”, Revista de Internet, Derecho y Política, n. 27, pp. 52-66. Retrieved from: https://raco.cat/index.php/IDP/article/view/n27-guzman/432431 (accessed 21/12/2024).

Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Población que usa Internet (en los últimos tres meses). Tipo de actividades realizadas por Internet. Retrieved from: https://www.ine.es/ss/Satellite?L=es_ES&c=INESeccion_C&cid=1259925528782&p=1254735110672&pagename=ProductosYServicios%2FPYSLayout (accessed 08/01/2025)

Ministerio del Interior (2023): Informe sobre la cibercriminalidad en España. Retrieved from: https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/export/sites/default/.galleries/galeria-de-prensa/documentos-y-multimedia/balances-e-informes/2023/Informe-Cibercriminalidad_2023.pdf (accessed 12/01/2025).

Muñoz Conde, F. (2021): Derecho Penal. Parte Especial, Edition 23, Editorial Tirant Lo Blanch, Valencia.

Tamarit Sumalla, J. M. (2018): “Los delitos de odio en las redes sociales”, Revista de Internet, Derecho y Política, n. 27, pp. 17-29. Retrieved from: https://raco.cat/index.php/IDP/article/view/n27-tamarit/432428 (accessed 20/12/2024).

Velasco Núñez, E. (2010): Delitos cometidos a través de Internet. Cuestiones procesales, Editorial La Ley, Madrid.

Jurisprudence

Supreme Court Sentence: STS 547/2022 (Criminal Court, Section 991), June 2, 2022 (resource 1615/2020).

Sentence of the Provincial Court of Madrid: SAP 210/2013, Section 27, February 14, 2013 (resource 389/2012).

Sentence of the Provincial Court of Albacete: SAP 16/2014, Section 2, January 13, 2014 (resource 605/2013).

Sentence of the Provincial Court of Tenerife: SAP 104/2019, Section 2, March 26, 2019 (resource 181/2019).

Sentence of the Provincial Court of Palma de Mallorca: SAP 469/2022, Section 1, November 29, 2022 (resource 87/2022).

Sentence of the Provincial Court of Pontevedra: SAP 11/2023, Section 4, February 2, 2023 (resource 993/2022)

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Published

2025-12-22

How to Cite

Martínez Cristóbal, D. (2025). Freedom on Social Networks: Threats and Coercion in Light of Article 20.1 of the Spanish Constitution. VISUAL REVIEW. International Visual Culture Review Revista Internacional De Cultura Visual, 17(8), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.62161/revvisual.v17.6112

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 8 (2025)

Section

Research articles

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