UK Teachers Warn Social Media Fuels Rise in Youth Violence

UK Teachers Warn Social Media Fuels Rise in Youth Violence
…………..

Teachers in the United Kingdom have raised concerns that social media platforms are contributing to an increase in youth violence, including knife crime. The National Education Union (NEU) said educators are witnessing the impact of this trend in classrooms across the country.

The warning comes as the union prepares to address the issue at the Trades Union Congress conference in Brighton. The NEU plans to urge the government to take immediate steps to tackle the root causes of youth violence both online and offline.

The union is calling for stronger regulation of social media platforms, including mandatory reporting systems, faster removal of violent content, and penalties for companies that fail to act.

NEU General Secretary Matt Wrack said teachers are increasingly facing threats, assaults, and trauma linked to violence among young people. He argued that social media companies must be held accountable for hosting and amplifying harmful material.

Wrack also highlighted broader social issues, noting that years of austerity had weakened youth services and left schools without sufficient resources to manage the crisis. The union is calling for tougher regulation, adequate funding, and a national strategy to ensure safety in schools.