A major teaching union has raised concerns about the negative impact of social media on students’ concentration at school and mental health, calling for a ban on social media for those under 16. The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) has urged the government to compel tech giants to block access to their platforms for children. This call follows a similar move by Australia in December. NASUWT argues that unrestricted use of social media is contributing to behavioral issues in schools, harming young people’s mental well-being, and exposing them to inappropriate content.
The union’s general secretary, Matt Wrack, highlighted the challenges teachers face due to the negative effects of social media on children. Wrack emphasized the need for social media companies to be held accountable and suggested that a statutory ban for under-16s is necessary to protect children’s mental health and address behavioral problems in schools.
According to a NASUWT survey of 5,800 teachers in 2025, 81% reported an increase in violent and abusive behavior among students, with 59% attributing this trend to social media. Additionally, a separate poll of 300 NASUWT members revealed that 89% supported a legal ban on social media for individuals under 16.
The UK’s Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, expressed readiness to support the regulator, Ofcom, in taking action against platforms that fail to comply with regulations. Recent concerns raised by the head of the schools watchdog Ofsted about the impact of social media on children’s behavior and attention spans have further fueled the debate. A recent poll by a leading publication found that 64% of respondents favor a ban on social media for those under 16.
In response to the union’s stance, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, echoed the concerns, stating that social media is depriving children of a normal childhood by promoting addictive online behaviors. Kebede criticized the government for not taking decisive action to address the escalating crisis.
A Government spokesperson emphasized the support provided to headteachers to manage disruptions caused by social media in schools. The spokesperson highlighted the government’s efforts through the Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful online content while allowing them to benefit from digital platforms safely.
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