'Andrew Tate phenomena' surges in schools - with boys refusing to talk to female teacher

Social media influencers are fuelling a rise in misogyny and sexism in the UK's classrooms, according to teachers.

More than 5,800 teachers were polled as part of the survey by the NASUWT teaching union, and nearly three in five (59%) of teachers said they believe social media use has contributed to a deterioration in pupils' behaviour.

The findings have been published during the union's annual conference, which is taking place in Liverpool this weekend.

One motion that is set to be debated at the conference calls on the union's executive to work with teachers "to assess the risk that far-right and populist movements pose to young people".

Andrew Tate was referenced by a number of teachers who took part in the survey, who said he had negative influence on male pupils.

One teacher said she'd had 10-year-old boys "refuse to speak to [her]...because [she is] a woman".

Another teacher said "the Andrew Tate phenomena had a huge impact on how [pupils at an all-boys school] interacted with females and males they did not see as 'masculine'".

While another respondent to the survey said their school had experienced some incidents of "derogatory language towards female staff...as a direct result of Andrew Tate videos".

'Even adults can get dangerously addicted'

Last month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted a discussion in Downing Street on how to prevent young boys from being dragged into a "whirlpool of hatred and misogyny".

The talks were with the creators of Netflix drama Adolescence, which explored so-called incel culture.

It comes as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch revealed her young cousin killed themselves after falling down an "internet rabbit hole" - and she worries "a lot about social media".

She told the Daily Mail: "It's heartbreaking. My views about the dangers of social media are not just about children. I know even as adults we can get dangerously addicted."

The Conservatives have been arguing for a ban on mobile phones in schools over concerns about the impact of social media on children.

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'An urgent need for action'

Patrick Roach, the teaching union's general secretary, said teachers "cannot be left alone to deal with these problems".

"There is an urgent need for concerted action involving schools, colleges and other agencies to safeguard all children and young people from the dangerous influence of far-right populists and extremists," he added.

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A spokesperson for the Department for Education (DfE) said: "Education can be the antidote to hate, and the classroom should be a safe environment for sensitive topics to be discussed and where critical thinking is encouraged.

"That's why we provide a range of resources to support teachers to navigate these challenging issues, and why our curriculum review will look at the skills children need to thrive in a fast-changing online world."

(c) Sky News 2025: 'Andrew Tate phenomena' surges in schools - with boys refusing to talk to female teacher