Teachers in Scotland are today demanding that social media companies take immediate action to stamp out online abuse.
The damage that abuse on social media platforms is doing to the mental health of teachers, school leaders and other education staff is highlighted in a motion from the NASUWT teachers’ union at the annual gathering of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) in Dundee.
The union underlines the fact that online abuse often happens outside working hours, with damaging effects on home life as well in the workplace, and wants to see social media companies adopt a “zero tolerance” approach.
The motion calls on the Scottish government to put pressure on social media companies and to support schools to take action to ensure the safety of their workforce.
It also expresses “deep concern” about “increasing reports of online or remote abuse and harassment of teachers via social media platforms such as Twitter...that continue to impact negatively on their wellbeing and self-esteem, as well as teaching and learning”.
Teachers suffer ‘traumatic’ abuse on social media
NASUWT general secretary Patrick Roach said: “Online abuse has a devastating impact on teachers and pupils.
“There are still too many cases where no appropriate action is taken when abuse is reported to employers, the police or to social media companies.”
Dr Roach added: “Ministers need to work with the profession to tackle the problem and take action against those social media companies that fail to take action to protect the safety of teachers and students.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT national official for Scotland, said: “The level of abuse that teachers are suffering at the hands of pupils and parents online is simply unacceptable. How can pupils be expected to use social media sensibly and safely when parents are using it inappropriately?
“Online abuse is traumatic and potentially life changing. Victims need strong support through a zero-tolerance approach.”
