Teachers across the UK are raising alarms over a surge in misogyny, sexism, and discriminatory behavior among students, largely fueled by social media and influencers like Andrew Tate and Donald Trump.
A survey conducted by the NASUWT teaching union, involving 5,800 educators, found that nearly 60% believe social media is worsening student behavior in schools. Many specifically cited Tate—known for his misogynistic views—as having a harmful influence on male pupils.
One teacher reported: “I’ve had 10-year-old boys refuse to speak to me because I’m a woman. They idolize Andrew Tate, his cars, and his treatment of women.”
Another said: “We’ve had boys barking at female staff and blocking doorways—directly influenced by Tate’s videos.” A third shared concerns from an all-boys school in a low-income area: “The ‘Andrew Tate’ effect deeply impacted how students treated females and even males they didn’t view as ‘masculine.’”
Teachers also mentioned students parroting sexist, racist, homophobic, and transphobic remarks, often referencing both Tate and Trump, without fear of consequences.
The issue has prompted political attention. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently acknowledged there’s no “simple solution” to stop boys from being pulled into what he called a “whirlpool” of misogyny.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed in a Daily Mail interview that her young cousin died by suicide after falling down an “internet rabbit hole.” “It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “Even adults can become dangerously addicted to social media.”
Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT, stressed the need for urgent, coordinated action. “Misogyny, racism, and other forms of hate may be getting more media attention, but these are not new problems,” he said.
Roach called for a national, multi-agency approach involving schools, colleges, and other institutions to improve online safety, promote critical thinking, and combat disinformation. “Teachers can’t be expected to handle this alone,” he added.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education (DfE) echoed the concerns: “We recognize the harmful impact dangerous online influencers can have, which is why we’re supporting schools in building young people’s resilience to extremism through our Plan for Change.”