2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:44 pm on 16 November 2021.

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Photo of Laura Anne Jones Laura Anne Jones Conservative 2:44, 16 November 2021

Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you, business Minister. I'd like to call for a statement by the Minister for education given the recent news and worrying news that teachers are being recorded during lessons and that the footage is being uploaded to the social media platform TikTok. It is a situation that is getting out of hand, and I'm aware of many schools now having written to parents to increase awareness of what is going on. It is becoming increasingly apparent that governments need to take action now, working with social media organisations, to crack down on offensive videos aimed at teachers. Teachers across Wales have been targeted with defamatory and offensive videos posted by these pupils on TikTok. This is causing significant concern among teachers and school staff. Teachers do a wonderful job educating our children. We are all to quick to praise the job that they do. Their role in schools needs to be a safe space for them, as well as the pupils. So, could the Minister make a statement on how the Government is looking to help our education providers combat this, and to clarify what guidance you will issue to teachers to try and help them in this regard?