The National Education Union’s (NEU) general secretary, Daniel Kebede, has attributed the increasing prevalence of sexism in schools to the harmful content accessed by children on their phones.
Call for Inquiry into Social Media Influence
Kebede has called for an inquiry to challenge social media companies, citing concerns over boys consuming “aggressive and violent pornography” and influencer content distorting their perception of women.
Government’s Response and Legislation
While the government’s Online Safety Bill aims to enhance internet safety for children, Kebede insists that the issue isn’t being addressed with the necessary gravity. The legislation requires tech giants to do more to protect children from harmful content.
Concerns Raised at NEU Conference
Teachers at the NEU conference expressed alarm over the rise of online misogyny and its repercussions in classrooms. They recounted instances of teenage boys exhibiting troubling attitudes towards women and the influence of controversial influencers like Andrew Tate.
Impact on Students’ Mental Health and Body Image
Teachers highlighted how online content affects students’ mental health and body image, with girls as young as 12 expressing concerns about plastic surgeries and unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated online.
Students’ Perspectives and Government Action
Students voiced concerns about encountering extreme content, bullying, and hateful comments online. While the government emphasizes school action against sexual misconduct, experts stress the importance of ambitious implementation of the Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful online experiences.
