One of the UK's largest teaching unions has issued a stark call for the government to ban social media access for all children under the age of 16. The NASUWT says growing evidence links unregulated online access to worsening behaviour in schools and significant harm to young people's mental health.
Mounting Pressure for Legislative Action
The union is demanding that legislation be tightened, proposing that major technology firms should face penalties for allowing under-16s onto their platforms. This push for a statutory ban follows the recent implementation of a similar pioneering restriction in Australia, though its effectiveness remains under evaluation.
NASUWT General Secretary, Matt Wrack, stated: "Teachers are dealing every day with the fallout of a social media landscape not originally designed and not suitable for children. Social media companies have shown time and again that they will not act responsibly unless they are forced to do so."
He argued that urgent action is required to safeguard children, protect their mental wellbeing, and address the escalating behaviour crisis observed in classrooms across the country.
Evidence of Harm and Disruption in Schools
The union's position is supported by its own research and aligns with concerns raised by the education watchdog, Ofsted. Ofsted has warned that social media is actively 'chipping away' at children's attention spans and exacerbating poor behaviour.
A substantial NASUWT survey of 5,800 members revealed that 81% of teachers reported an increase in pupils exhibiting violent and abusive behaviour last year. Furthermore, 59% of those surveyed believed social media was a key driving force behind this deterioration in conduct.
In a separate poll of 300 members, an overwhelming 89% expressed support for a legal ban on social media for under-16s. Wrack emphasised that teachers consistently identify social media as a primary catalyst for poor behaviour, anxiety, and disengagement in learning.
Government Response and the Online Safety Act
The debate around online safety was recently intensified by reports concerning Elon Musk's Grok AI tool generating inappropriate imagery. In response to the union's demands, a government spokesperson highlighted existing measures.
They pointed to the Online Safety Act, describing it as containing some of the boldest steps globally to protect children online. The Act mandates that social media companies shield under-18s from harmful content. The spokesperson stated the government supports headteachers in restricting mobile phone use during the school day and aims to strike a balance between protection and allowing children to benefit safely from the digital world.
Despite this, the NASUWT insists stronger action is needed. "Children deserve the chance to grow, learn and form healthy relationships without being pulled into an online world that profits from their vulnerability," Wrack concluded, urging the UK to follow other nations in implementing a ban he believes would have widespread backing from parents and educators.
