NASUWT – the Teachers’ Union is calling on the Government to ban access to social media platforms to children and young people under 16 to prevent further damage to mental health and improve concentration and learning in school.
A meeting of the Union’s National Executive has called for primary legislation banning access and legally enforceable age verification and compliance mechanisms to force big tech firms to prevent children from accessing their platforms.
The call follows growing evidence that unregulated access to social media is fuelling a crisis in behaviour and causing harm to children and young people, including adverse impacts on mental health, reduced capacity for social engagement and exposure to misinformation and violent and sexually explicit content.
Evidence from NASUWT teachers identifies that children’s sustained use of social media leads to reductions in attention spans, concentration and capacity for sustained learning, due in part to over-exposure to highly stimulating and short-form digital content.
In recent survey work with members on behaviour a majority of teachers (59%) thought that social media was the driving factor behind deteriorating behaviour in schools.
NASUWT General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “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.
“If we are serious about safeguarding children, protecting their mental health and combating the behaviour crisis in our schools, then a statutory ban for under‑16s must happen urgently.
“Our members tell us that social media is now one of the biggest drivers of poor behaviour, anxiety and disengagement in the classroom. Children deserve the chance to grow, learn and form healthy relationships without being pulled into an online world that profits from their vulnerability.
“We believe the Government should join other countries and help children and young people by moving to a ban which would have widespread support among parents and teachers.”
