2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:40 pm on 23 November 2021.

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Photo of Laura Anne Jones Laura Anne Jones Conservative 2:40, 23 November 2021

Thank you, business Minister. Of course, I welcomed your assurance last week that you and your Government have been liaising with the UK Council for Internet Safety, after it came to light that teachers were facing abuse on social media platforms such as TikTok. However, the situation has escalated, and teachers are continuing to be uploaded to the social media platform, and it's now being reported that some of these videos have hashtags such as 'paedo', others have extremely derogatory language, and some have included teachers' faces superimposed onto pornographic images. Minister, this is causing a lot of distress for teachers who have been targeted, and the teachers' union NASUWT have examples of teachers taking time off work due to stress, and even leaving the profession altogether now. I would welcome a detailed statement, please, on this matter, and what exact action has been taken, and what exact guidance has been issued to teachers, schools and local authorities on this matter, and for the Minister to outline in detail what discussions they've had with the other UK Governments, as well as the UK Council for Internet Safety. I believe this is something that the whole of the Senedd now needs to be aware of, given the severity of the problems and the impact it's now having on teaching careers and well-being and our children's education. Thank you.