Currently, nearly two students per class in Spain are affected by a troubling pattern described as tyranny, based on research conducted by the ColaCao Foundation and the Complutense University of Madrid. The data also highlights a worrying link between relationships, bullying, and suicide: 20.4% of victims and 16.8% of aggressors report having contemplated suicide at some point. These findings underscore how pervasive social harm can be among teens and how urgent it is to address it with clear strategies and supportive structures. [Source: ColaCao Foundation and Complutense University of Madrid]
Neox and Atresplayer are bringing this social challenge into view through a program called Sandbox, a TV series that aims to give teenagers practical tools to confront bullying and violence. By making the problem visible, the show seeks to catalyze conversation, reflection, and action among young viewers and their allies. [Atresmedia coverage]
Promoted by the ColaCao Foundation and the Supreme Sports Council, Sandbox examines violence from six distinct angles—one per episode—offering fresh insights with each perspective. A producer notes that every episode adds new information, enriching the audience’s understanding of the dynamics at play. Núria Gago, known for roles in Amar es para siempre and Com si fos ahir, is a leading figure in the series and contributes as a screenwriter as well. The project also involves Pedro Rodríguez Pérez and Víctor Pedreira. [Industry interviews]
The central character in Sandbox is a young football player from the lower leagues who has a setback after a mistake in a match, leading to escalating problems at school. The narrative follows how this one moment can ripple through relationships and self-perception, showing that someone who seems poised to win may be vulnerable to a single setback.
scars for life
The creators emphasize that bullying does not belong to any single type of person. Reducing violence to a single stereotype would oversimplify a complex and dangerous phenomenon, especially since violence at adolescence often begets more violence. The show’s child and youth violence prevention expert plays a physical education teacher who understands the social dynamics of teenage groups and acts to observe and intervene before harm occurs.
Leticia Dolera, one of the most recognizable cast members, speaks to the importance of giving visibility to these issues because she herself experienced bullying at age 13 and even had to change schools. She describes the emotional barriers that make it hard to ask for help and notes that many teenagers fear drawing attention to their pain. In Sandbox, she portrays a high school psychologist who recognizes the value of early support and practical protocols. The portrayal aims to help families and educators understand when and how to intervene. [Character studies]
The show tackles the silence surrounding these situations, explaining that fear affects both victims and peers who witness abuse. It encourages young viewers to seek help and to act as responsible, empathetic friends rather than passive bystanders. Dolera stresses that such a series could serve as a powerful educational tool for both parents and teenagers, helping them navigate difficult conversations and recognize available resources. [Advocacy observations]
Protocol that can improve
Dolera offers advice she would give to someone being bullied: acknowledge that the person is not at fault, encourage seeking help, and follow established protocols. While she believes improvements are still needed, she argues that ethics should be a fundamental part of civic life and education, not optional. She advocates for regular school discussions about bullying, feminism, and sexual and gender-based violence to be part of the curriculum. [Educational perspectives]
The Sandbox ensemble also includes Teresa Rabal, Jordi Aguilar, Rocío Muñoz-Cobo, and several younger performers such as Adrià Salazar, Álex Mola, Carla Domínguez, Pablo Riguero, Miguel Fernández, and Pooky Jongen, rounding out a cast that presents a broad spectrum of teen experiences. [Cast notes]
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