Welsh Educators Address Misogynistic Influences on Youths

Teachers across Wales are raising concerns over the significant impact that misogynistic influencers on social media are having on young students, particularly boys. In response to this issue, a school in Maesteg has established a dedicated committee to confront the emergence of sexist language among pupils, specifically those between the ages of 11 and 13. Influential figures like Andrew Tate have been identified as a source of this concerning trend.

The children’s commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, has echoed these concerns, emphasizing that “sexist and misogynistic language can have a real-life impact.” The Welsh government has responded by incorporating online safety into the new curriculum and offering various resources to teachers, students, and parents aimed at counteracting harmful online influences.

Jenna Rolls-Jones, a teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd in Maesteg and a member of the newly formed committee, observed early signs of misogyny in children as young as 11. “It’s so scary, just the fact that pupils were thinking about women in a negative way. They’re so young and they don’t realize the language they use,” she noted. One particular term, “Sigma,” has gained traction in the school and is internet slang describing a man who chooses to live outside the social hierarchy.

Owain Tudur, the school’s Pastoral Leader, expressed concern over the lack of resources and guidance provided to educators. “There is very little communication or any kind of training for teachers,” Tudur stated. “In terms of support from government level and in the world of education, there aren’t enough resources being shared with schools for us to be able to tackle problems that come from social media.”

At the national level, the issue draws parallels to the concerns raised by Ken McCallum, head of MI5, regarding the growing involvement of minors in extremist activities. McCallum reported a threefold increase in the number of individuals under 18 implicated in terrorism-related issues in the past three years. A community police officer also stressed the importance of open discussions in classrooms to prevent young individuals from pursuing dangerous paths.

The Welsh government continues to underscore the necessity of online safety, asserting that it remains “a key part of the new curriculum” and highlighting the availability of various resources to aid teachers, students, and parents in addressing online misogyny.