A comprehensive survey conducted by the National Education Union has uncovered disturbing evidence that schoolchildren across the country are being significantly influenced by extreme and harmful content found on social media platforms. The study, which gathered responses from 10,578 educators, indicates a pervasive issue affecting classroom environments and pupil behaviour.
Widespread Exposure to Harmful Attitudes
The data reveals that 52 per cent of teachers have directly observed racist behaviour from pupils within their schools. Furthermore, an even higher proportion, 56 per cent, report witnessing instances of misogyny among students. The National Education Union attributes these troubling attitudes primarily to exposure to online influencers and participation in extreme internet forums, which are disseminating such ideologies to young, impressionable audiences.
Personal Abuse and Conspiracy Theories
In a particularly concerning finding, one in six teachers—equivalent to 16 per cent—disclosed that they had personally been subjected to misogynistic abuse from a pupil during the past academic year. Additionally, 43 per cent of educators noted that conspiratorial theories and widespread misinformation circulating on social media are having a tangible negative impact on their students' beliefs and interactions.
Nearly one in ten teachers, specifically 9 per cent, also reported experiencing sexualised comments from pupils over the same period, highlighting a broader pattern of inappropriate conduct influenced by digital content.
Profound Impacts on Pupil Well-being
The survey underscores severe consequences for children's mental and physical health linked to social media usage. A substantial majority of teachers observed that these platforms are directly contributing to a decline in pupils' ability to concentrate, with 71 per cent noting this effect. Similarly, 67 per cent reported visible impacts on students' mental health, and 66 per cent identified issues with sleep deprivation among their pupils.
Secondary school teachers reported particularly strong impacts, with more than half stating that social media use has led to noticeable changes in peer relationships (60 per cent) and an increase in bullying or harassment incidents (55 per cent) within their student bodies.
Call for Government Action
In response to these alarming trends, the National Education Union is advocating for stringent measures. The union's general secretary, Daniel Kebede, described the findings as 'deeply concerning' and urged ministers to take immediate action to regulate technology companies more effectively. 'Addictive social media algorithms are feeding our children harmful content on a daily basis,' Kebede stated. 'That content is having clear negative effects—with educators reporting racist and misogynistic behaviour by young people, influenced by what they have seen online.'
The union is formally calling for a complete ban on social media access for all children under the age of 16. This position is supported by an overwhelming 98 per cent of teachers surveyed, who expressed their backing for stricter government regulation of tech firms to protect children from addictive algorithms and harmful material.
Government Response and Proposed Measures
The findings emerge as the Government considers implementing new safeguards for children under 16 online. Potential measures under discussion include adopting an Australia-style social media ban or introducing restrictions such as time limits and usage curfews for young people.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently commented on the issue, stating that addictive features on social media platforms 'should not be allowed.' While expressing an open-minded approach regarding a full ban, he emphasised that the current situation is untenable and requires change.
A Government spokesman acknowledged the severity of the survey's results, stating: 'These figures are deeply concerning, and underscore the need for strong action to keep our kids safe online.' The spokesman highlighted existing legislation, noting that the UK has introduced some of the world's toughest online safety laws, which legally obligate platforms to remove illegal content and protect children from harmful material, including pornography and abusive content.
Additionally, the Government has issued strengthened guidance promoting mobile phone-free school environments and has launched a public consultation to explore further protective measures, such as potential social media bans or curfews for children.
Union Conference and Broader Campaigns
Delegates at the National Education Union's annual conference in Brighton are scheduled to debate a motion reaffirming the union's opposition to all forms of racism, fascism, and far-right extremism. Another motion calls for campaigning against rhetoric that falsely blames migrants for violence against women and girls, addressing another dimension of harmful discourse influencing young people.
Teachers participating in the survey provided anecdotal evidence of severe cases, including one educator who reported that their school is grappling with increasing incidents of children sharing explicit images and subsequently facing blackmail, illustrating the dangerous real-world consequences of unregulated online activity.
The collective evidence from this extensive survey paints a stark picture of how social media is shaping a generation, with educators on the front lines calling for urgent intervention to safeguard children's development and well-being in an increasingly digital world.
