Teachers Sound Alarm Over Extreme Online Content Influencing Pupil Behaviour
Extreme online content and personalities are directly triggering racist, misogynistic, and hateful behaviours among school pupils, according to a comprehensive new poll of educators. The survey, which involved more than 10,500 members of the National Education Union (NEU), has uncovered disturbing trends linking digital exposure to real-world conduct in classrooms across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Survey Reveals Widespread Impact on Student Conduct and Wellbeing
The NEU poll found that over half of teachers (56%) believe extreme online material is leading to misogynistic behaviour among pupils, while a similar proportion (52%) report it is fostering racist attitudes. Additionally, more than two in five educators identified homophobic or transphobic content (45%) and conspiracy theories or misinformation (43%) as significant influences on their students.
Secondary school children were approximately twice as likely to express hateful views compared to younger pupils, highlighting a critical developmental vulnerability. One teacher commented in the survey, "Racist and homophobic language learned online is becoming normalised in school."
Social Media's Broader Effects on Education and Mental Health
Beyond behavioural issues, the survey linked social media use to serious educational and health concerns. Staff reported that platform engagement is associated with loss of concentration (71%), negative mental health impacts (67%), and sleep deprivation (66%) among students. Furthermore, more than half of teachers (55%) said social media is driving bullying and harassment within schools.
"Bullying no longer stops at the school gate. It is relentless and follows them home," one educator noted. Another added, "Constant fallouts from group chats that begin at home and explode in school the next morning," while a third observed, "Friendship groups are breaking down because of online gossip and rumours spreading rapidly."
Teachers Face Abuse and Call for Regulatory Action
The poll also revealed a troubling rise in abuse directed at educators, with nearly two-thirds experiencing verbal assaults from pupils in the last year. Nearly one in ten teachers (9%) reported sexualised comments from students, a figure that jumps sharply to 19% in secondary schools. Specific groups were disproportionately affected, with 19% of female teachers experiencing misogyny and 13% of Black teachers facing racial abuse from pupils.
In response, an overwhelming 98% of teachers expressed support for strict regulation of tech firms to protect children from addictive algorithms. NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede stated, "Addictive social media algorithms are feeding our children harmful content on a daily basis. That content is having clear negative effects—with educators reporting racist and misogynistic behaviour by young people, influenced by what they have seen online."
Political and Government Responses to Online Harms
The findings emerge as Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared war on addictive algorithms, promising parents urgent action to address online harms. In an interview, Starmer said, "Addictive algorithms, clearly to my mind, shouldn't be permitted. This is the platforms trying to get children to stay on for longer, to get addicted. I can't see that there's a case for that, and therefore I can see we're going to have to act."
A government spokesman acknowledged the concerns, stating, "These figures are deeply concerning, and underscore the need for strong action to keep our kids safe online." The government has introduced online safety laws requiring platforms to remove illegal content and protect children, alongside launching a consultation on potential measures like social media bans or curfews for young people.
This situation follows a recent US jury finding that Meta and Google intentionally built addictive platforms harming mental health, underscoring global scrutiny of tech giants. Kebede warned, "Each day that we continue in the present situation comes with a cost, whether it is bullying, worsening mental ill-health, eating disorders, or disengagement from learning. We cannot allow this generation or any other to become victims of big tech profit margins."
