NASUWT Poll: "Figures are shocking, but should come as no surprise"

EMBARGO: 00.01 Satuday 19th April 

A poll by the NASUWT Teaching Union has found that nearly three in five (59%) teachers said they believe social media use has contributed to a deterioration in pupils’ behaviour in schools. 

A number of teachers who responded to the NASUWT’s survey on behaviour referenced the negative influence that social media influencer Andrew Tate has had on male pupils. The findings have been released during the NASUWT’s annual conference in Liverpool over the Easter weekend.

Responding to the findings, Liberal Democrat Education, Children and Families Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said:

“These figures are shocking, but should come as no surprise. Toxic algorithms are pushing many children into dark corners of the internet, where sinister attitudes that cause terrible harm in the real world — including in our schools — are free to develop.

“We need to cut addictive algorithms off at their source. The Liberal Democrats are calling for the introduction of a Safer Screens Task Force, to hold the Government accountable and make sure the voice of children’s safety is heard.

“The Government should also be mandating that the revenues from any fines levied by Ofcom for breaches of the Online Safety Act be reinvested into safer screens education in schools for our young people.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editor: Original reporting by Eleanor Busby, PA Education Correspondent (Embargoed until 0001 Saturday 19th April)