Another Job For Schools?

A worrying rise in the numbers of UK children being radicalised by far right groups has been noted. Rather obviously, most pupils will inevitably encounter disinformation and hateful comment online. University College of London's Institute of Education has interviewed almost 100 teachers on attempts to deal with hateful views and ideologies (https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/sep/07/extreme-views-and-conspiracism-rising-among-englands-pupils-research-finds). More than 50% of the teacher sample had heard pupils express far right views in the class room; 75% had heard misogynistic or Islamophobic opinion and almost 100% had heard racist language. Radicalisation does seem to be a large and growing problem. Most of the interviewed teachers thought they had become too focussed on reporting students 'thought to be at risk of radicalisation'. They think it would be better to be teaching pupils how to reject and discuss hateful or misinforming views. Some teachers were, however, uncomfortable with their current abilities to do this. Some thought their current role is more like that of a babysitter, rather than an instructor. It is worth noting, however, that pupils will not get all their views directly online (although they can be amplified by sharing). Parents, siblings, friends, some institutions and members of their own cohort must play roles. It's also hardly surprising that school children are vulnerable to online 'grooming'. Many older people, are certainly no wiser.