
Social media 'can negatively impact children as they enter secondary school'
Schools and parents need to be doing more to help children maintain a healthy relationship with social media as they enter secondary school.
The Children's Commissioner for England has published a new report, entitled Life in Likes, which has highlighted the potentially negative effects that social media can have on the mental wellbeing of children aged between eight and 12, particularly due to the sudden change in the way children use social networks when they reach secondary school age.
Children aged eight to ten were generally shown to use social media in a playful and creative way, allowing them to expand their horizons and learn more about the world around them. However, once they reach Year 7, they become much more preoccupied with social validation, which alters their mindset when it comes to how they use the internet.
Specifically, it was shown that Year 7 children find social media hard to manage due to their emotional dependence on receiving likes and comments as a form of validation, with many adapting their offline behaviour to fit an online image - which can lead to increased anxiety.
Moreover, the use of platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat can also undermine children's self-image by making them feel inferior to the people they follow, with many youngsters also feeling a persistent pressure to be constantly connected, at the expense of other activities.
As such, Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, is calling on schools and parents to prepare children for this shift towards the end of primary school, with compulsory digital literacy and online resilience lessons recommended for Year 6 and 7s to provide them with an understanding of the emotional aspects of social media use.
She said: "While social media clearly provides some great benefits to children, it is also exposing them to significant risks emotionally, particularly as they approach Year 7.
"I am worried that many children are starting secondary school ill-equipped to cope with the sudden demands of social media as their world expands."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£26 - 32 per hour
Location free text
Formby
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Merseyside
Description
Engaging and Supportive GCSE Maths Tutors Required in the Formby Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. As such, we are looking f
Reference
RVL37GCSE(Mat)14/07
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£26 - 32 per hour
Location free text
Preston
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Lancashire
Description
Engaging and Supportive GCSE Science Tutors Required in the Preston Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. As such, we are lookin
Reference
RVPR1GCSE(Sci)14/07
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Salford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Are you considering a career in teaching? Do you want hands-on experience in a secondary school setting?We are currently seeking enthusiastic and reliable Cover Supervisors to support a number of seco
Reference
140725-CS-SAL
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester West SecondaryAuthor
Manchester West SecondarySalary
£31,650 - 46,525 per year
Location free text
Bolton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Geography
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Secondary Humanities Teachers – September 2025 StartAre you a passionate Humanities teacher ready to inspire the next generation? We’re seeking dedicated and enthusiastic Humanities Teachers to join a
Reference
170725-HUM-BOL
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester West SecondaryAuthor
Manchester West SecondarySalary
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Derby
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Derby
Description
Looking to come out of the Classroom and teach 1:1?Why TP Tutors?As we enter the spring term, it’s the perfect time to make an impact on secondary students’ education. At TP Tutors, we’re passionate a
Reference
10SFDerbyMaths14/07
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
Make a Real Difference: Become an SEN Tutor in Nottingham!Are you passionate about helping young people achieve their full potential?TP Tutors is a leading tutoring agency dedicated to providing high-
Reference
TWNG8SEN14/7/25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£100 - 120 per day
Location free text
Wimborne Minster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Wimbourne
Description
Cover Supervisor – Secondary Education Location: Christchurch, Dorset Start Date: September 2025 Competitive Pay RatesAre you ready to step into the classroom and make a real impact on students' lea
Reference
CoverSUP2025CK12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£110 - 150 per day
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Supply Teacher – Bournemouth, Dorset Flexible Work | Full-time & Part-time Opportunities | Start Date: September/October 2025Are you a teacher looking for flexible supply work in the Bournemouth area
Reference
Supplybournemouth202
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£31,065 - 49,084 per year
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Inspiring Science Teacher Wanted Are you passionate about Science and dedicated to delivering high-quality education? We are seeking a dynamic Science Teacher to join a forward-thinking secondary sch
Reference
SCIAPRIL2025
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Kettering
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Become a Tutor with TPTUTORS – Inspire, Support, and Transform LivesTPTUTORS is on the lookout for passionate, skilled tutors to join our expanding team. As student referrals increase, we’re working h
Reference
EM1407TUTOR2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Unpacking SEND reform: Where are we now and what’s coming next? A rapid rise in pupils diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, social, emotional, and mental health needs (including ADHD), as

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
What do schools need to know this term? Change is constant in the education sector, and this term is no different. From Ofsted and pay reviews, to structural shifts like RISE and curriculum refo
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job