New report reveals how social media abuse is pushing teachers out of the profession
A quarter of UK teachers face digital hate from parents, adding to stress, anxiety and retention worries, according to new report
A new report has revealed just how widespread – and damaging – abuse towards teachers has become, with nearly a quarter of UK teachers reporting online attacks from parents on social media, and even more facing hostile messages, mocking emails or abusive texts.
The study, conducted by Save My Exams, surveyed 200 UK teachers and found that the abuse teachers are dealing with – often online and from both students and their parents – is leaving many unmotivated, emotionally exhausted, and even considering quitting the profession altogether.
A rising tide of abuse – and not just from pupils
While stories of classroom disruption are nothing new, what stands out in this latest report is how much of the abuse is now coming from parents, often via social media or direct messages.
Almost 1 in 4 teachers (23%) said they’d been targeted with abuse on social media by a pupil’s parent. A similar number (24%) reported aggressive or mocking emails and texts from parents.
Shockingly, over 1 in 5 (21%) of teachers said they’d been harassed online by pupils themselves, including through video content or social media platforms.
The report also analysed nearly 2,800 Reddit posts across 21 global teaching-related forums. Nearly half (44.8%) of the posts examined were found to incite hatred or violence towards teachers – with a quarter targeting a teacher’s age and many including offensive language.
The emotional toll on teachers
Beyond the digital insults, the emotional and professional impact is clear.
Two in five (41%) teachers said they had either already left the profession or seriously considered doing so because of abuse from students. A similar number (40%) said the behaviour has a direct impact on how well they’re able to perform in the classroom.
Almost half (47%) of teachers surveyed said the abuse has left them feeling unmotivated, while a third (33%) reported increased stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion as a result.
These stats paint a worrying picture for parents, too – not just in terms of the impact on children’s education, but the pressure on teacher retention in already-struggling schools.
Teachers are dealing with more and more abuse
Lucy Kirkham, ex-teacher and Head of STEM at Save My Exams, said:
“Teachers themselves are having to deal with more verbal and physical abuse and negative comments on online social platforms. This abuse is not just perpetrated by students, but increasingly by parents too. All of this means higher teacher absences, which point to a worsening crisis in teacher retention.”
She warned that these increasing pressures risk affecting educational quality and student attainment.
“Our report has revealed a significant rise in student-on-teacher abuse and the potential consequences this has on both teachers and students,” Kirkham continued. “Not only is it having a profoundly negative impact on the quality of education UK students are receiving, but it is also dramatically affecting attainment by demotivating students and teachers.”
What’s being done – and what needs to change?
Only 1 in 5 (21%) teachers in the study said they feel that abuse from students and parents is handled adequately by their school or local authority – pointing to a need for clearer guidance and support.
Kirkham is calling for more investment and stronger behaviour policies from the government to help address the issue:
“We are calling for more guidance and financial support from the UK Government to help rebuild the trust that has deteriorated. More investment is required to support behaviour policies for teachers to deal with the extreme rise in behavioural issues since the Covid-19 pandemic, and to improve the lines of communication between parents and schools.”
What this means for parents
While the report is primarily focused on teachers, it’s a clear signal to parents, too: how we communicate with schools – particularly in digital spaces – matters. As the line between home and school blurs through WhatsApp groups and social media, maintaining mutual respect can help build stronger partnerships with teachers and model positive behaviour for our children.
And if your child’s teacher seems less energised than usual? The numbers suggest they’re likely dealing with far more than lesson plans and marking.