TikTok Videos Targeting Teachers – Support from Professionals Online Safety Helpline

*Updated 24/11/2021

From what the past couple of weeks has shown, the recent viral trend of targeting teachers on social media platforms is causing a great deal of concern throughout the UK. It’s clear that from the reports that has been received on the Professionals Online Safety Helpline, professionals are still trying to address the problem with many feeling considerable distress and uncertainty of how to effectively handle the problem. From the reports the helpline has received, hundreds of contacts got in touch last week compared to the average of around ’20 per week’ the helpline usually receives. In this article, and in light of anti-bullying week, we’ll shed light on what’s been happening as well as provide some advice if you are currently experiencing this problem.

Many schools have made reports around their pupils making explicit, offensive and harmful videos on social media, particularly on TikTok. The videos are either making reference to the school or individual teachers themselves through a variety of online accounts. Some of the content that has been shared includes pictures of staff being pulled from their organisation’s website and being altered to include pornographic imagery, offensive wording or harmful accusations relating to conduct or personality. As well as this, school’s trademarked logos and other pieces of branding have been used, highlighting concern over how it will affect their schools’ reputation online.

In response to this, many teachers have been deeply affected, with some taking time off to deal with stress. As well as reports to the helpline, TikTok have been trying to resolve the problem with the Department for Education also coming forward. The mainstream news media have picked up on the story, with the BBC and TES reporting on it whilst highlighting the helpline over the past few days. 

While the videos themselves may be distressing, it is important to remember, more often than not, children and young people will merely see these videos as nothing more than a joke. There will be little thought around the impact that the videos may be having and the seriousness of how much it has affected schools and the staff that work with them. Take a look at this video below from Carmel Glassbrook around how to address the issue:

TikTok are currently working to resolve the issue and remove content. Any school reporting content on TikTok should report it through the Professionals Online Safety Helpline.

Any school reporting content on TikTok should report it through the Professionals Online Safety Helpline. To understand where POSH can assist you in escalating content, please download this advice.

Download Advice

Carmel has also written an in-depth article on SWGfL around reporting fake accounts online and what you can do when trying to get them removed. Take a look here: https://swgfl.org.uk/magazine/schools-fake-accounts-and-ripas-what-you-can-do/

Once a report has been made then do get in touch with the helpline for further support and signposting. We offer a mediatory service that can assist with where you may be struggling. There is also a free helpline available Education Support which can assist if you are experiencing any wellbeing concerns.

Professionals Online Safety Helpline

* If you have contacted the helpline and not got a response, please check your junk/spam folders as we are hearing from a lot of schools that emails are ending up there.