by The Government should investigate “dangerous” content young people are accessing on their smartphones, the head of the UK’s biggest education union has said.
Daniel Kebede, secretary general of the National Education Union (NEU), warned of a “real problem” with sexism and misogyny in schools fueled by exposure to harmful content online.
Mr Kebede called on the Government to “catch up” on big tech companies as he said the problem was “too widespread” to be left to schools and parents.
He added that students have easy access to social media influencers like Andrew Tate, as well as “harsh and aggressive pornography” that affects young boys’ views of women and relationships.
His comments came at the forefront of a debate on misogyny and sexism online at the NEU’s annual conference in Bournemouth.
A motion, to be debated on Friday, says the “continued rise” of sexism and misogyny online through social media and online influencers is a “real challenge” to those promoting gender equality.
He suggests that the union’s resources to promote anti-sexism “are not being used as widely as they should be” in schools and colleges.
Speaking to the media ahead of the debate, Mr Kebede said he is working with young girls who have been victims of “significant acts of misogyny” and who have been abused, sexually assaulted and sexually assaulted.
He said: “That’s fueled by a culture of misogyny and sexism fueled by what young boys and young men can access on their smartphones. It is very widespread.”
The Cuivar Gach Duine movement – a campaign against sexual harassment and abuse launched in 2021 – has seen some students lash out at their schools for failing to tackle “rape culture”.
When asked if the problem had worsened since the campaign, Mr Kebede said: “I don’t think anyone at the moment is able to look at what is happening in society and the issue of sexism and misogyny – and what young people can access on their phones – to conceive. especially improved. No.”
He added: “It’s fair to say that there is a real problem with sexism and misogyny within schools. There is a real problem with what young people can easily access on their smartphone.
“It’s a problem that I think the Government has completely failed to intervene in. There’s really been no regulation and it’s causing a huge problem in our schools.”
When asked what the Government should do, the NEU leader said: “They have to go big, if we’re being honest.
“Big tech needs to take responsibility and be regulated and take control and make sure young people can’t access really offensive, dangerous things on their phones.
“It’s not enough to let schools police it, or indeed parents. It is far too broad.
“I think there needs to be a real inquiry into this from the Government which basically makes some recommendations on some significant reforms.”
In February, schools in England were given an unconstitutional directive by the Government to stop the use of mobile phones during school hours.
Last month, schools minister Damian Hinds told the Education Select Committee that mobile phones between primary and secondary school are a “rite of passage” for almost every child.
Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, is campaigning for an age limit on smartphone use and tighter controls on access to social media apps.
Asked whether parents could do more to limit the content their children are exposed to online, Mr Kebede said: “Children and young people are very good at working out technology and how to use it and how to get around any filters and restrictions. is in force.
“We cannot personalize the issue and put it down to problematic parenting, failed parenting. It’s very hard when every other child has access to a smartphone to be that parent who says no.
“The Government must be regulating this, which supports families to make those decisions.”
A Government spokesman said: “Every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment, and we expect schools to take immediate action against sexual misconduct or harassment.
“Through the world-leading Online Safety Act, social media companies will have to protect children from being exposed to harmful content online, and the Education Secretary has recently taken strong action by banning the use of mobile phones in schools prevent
“We are also reviewing the statutory guidance on relationship, sex and health education and as part of this, we are considering how we can strengthen our guidance and support for schools on this issue.”
