Teaching union requires under-16s social media ban to spice up studying
Teachers’ union NASUWT urged the Government to force big tech platforms to prevent children from accessing their platforms, and follows Australia’s banning social media for under-16s in December
Teachers’ union NASUWT urged the Government to force big tech platforms to prevent children from accessing their platforms(Image: Getty Images)
Social media should be banned for under-16s to improve concentration at school and stem damage to mental health, one of the largest teaching unions has warned.
Teachers’ union NASUWT urged the Government to force big tech platforms to prevent children from accessing their platforms, and follows Australia ’s banning social media for under-16s in December. The NASUWT claim growing evidence shows unregulated access to social media is driving poorer behaviour at schools, hurting the mental health of young people and exposing them to violent and sexually-explicit content.
It comes amid a row over X’s AI chatbot Grok, which is being used to create sexualised images of people, including children, at users’ request. 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.
READ MORE: Brits want social media ban for kids despite ‘punishment’ fearREAD MORE: ‘Grok’s digital undressing trend is predictable and puts vulnerable at risk of abuse’
“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.”
NASUWT surveyed 5,800 teacher members in 2025 and found about four in five (81%) reported an increase in the number of pupils exhibiting violent and abusive behaviour. Nearly three in five (59%) said they believed social media was one of the driving factors behind deteriorating behaviour. In a separate poll of 300 members, NASUWT found 89% supported a statutory social media ban for under-16s.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has said she would back regulator Ofcom if it decided to effectively block X if it failed to comply with UK laws. On Friday, X appeared to have changed Grok’s settings, with the chatbot telling users that only paid subscribers could ask it to manipulate images.
The chief of schools watchdog Ofsted raised concerns at the end of last year that social media is “chipping away” at children’s attention spans and promoting disrespectful behaviour. Last month a Mirror poll found 64% of people support a social media ban for under 16s while just 19% of voters oppose the idea.
Mr Wrack added: “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.”
Responding, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union said: “We welcome the NASUWT’s support for this position. Social media is robbing our children of their childhoods. Platforms designed to maximise profit relentlessly capture young people’s attention, replacing real-world friendships with addictive, curated feeds.
“What should be years of discovery, play and learning are instead spent in corporate-controlled online spaces that monetise every click, every insecurity, and every waking hour. Government inaction is allowing this crisis to deepen.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We support headteachers to take the necessary steps to prevent disruption in our schools –backed by our guidance, the vast majority already restrict the use of phones in the school day, so they do not disrupt learning.
“Through the Online Safety Act, we have taken some of the boldest steps anywhere in the world to ensure children have age-appropriate experiences online, mandating that social media companies protect under-18s from harmful content. We are striking the right balance: protecting children from harm while ensuring they can benefit safely from the digital world.”
