Rhian Howells: Education and Engagement Lead, Children’s Legal Centre Wales
It might feel harmless or a joke but what if a post encourages someone to hurt someone else?
Sharing Can Still Be a Crime
Sharing Can Still Be a CrimeIn the UK, encouraging or supporting violence online can be a criminal offence , even if you say it was “just for a laugh.”
If a post encourages people to:
- Fight
- Attack someone
- Bring weapons
- Damage property
…and you share it, you could be seen as helping spread that message. This is also called ‘Inciting Violence’ and it is a criminal offence.
That includes reposting, sharing to your story, tagging friends, or even commenting in a way that supports it.
Did you know you can be held criminally responsible from the age of 10?
In Wales (and across England), young people are criminally responsible from age 10.
That means:
- You can be arrested.
- You can be questioned by police.
- If there’s evidence, you can face consequences such as being charged or prosecuted.
Possible outcomes could include:
- A police caution
- A criminal record
- A Youth Detention Order
Saying “I didn’t mean it” or “It was just a joke” won’t automatically protect you.
Why Does This Matter?
Why Does This Matter?A criminal record doesn’t just disappear.
It can affect:
- University applications
- Job opportunities
- Volunteering roles
- Family relations
Also, if you want to travel, having a criminal record can mean that you are not allowed into certain countries. For example, the USA and Australia can refuse entry to people with certain criminal records.
What Should You Do Instead?
If you see a post encouraging violence:
✅ Don’t share it
✅ Don’t comment to hype it up
✅ Report it on the platform
✅ Block the account if needed
✅ Tell a trusted adult or your school
Final Thought
Social media moves fast.
But consequences can last a long time.
Before you hit share, ask yourself:
“Would I be okay explaining this to the police?”
If the answer is no, don’t post it.