London 'School Wars' Trend Sparks Police Action and Government Concern
Social media posts encouraging violence among pupils in red versus blue 'school wars' have been described as deeply concerning by the Technology Secretary. Metro has revealed how this trend divides schools into red and blue sides and urges children to engage in violent behavior.
Details of the Disturbing Trend
The first post, made almost two weeks ago, declared 'war' between eight different schools in Hackney. This occurred just days after two pupils were stabbed at Kingsbury High School. The posts encourage pupils to bring sharp objects such as compasses and metal combs, explicitly promoting violence.
Government and Police Response
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated last night: 'This content is deeply concerning, and I understand TikTok are taking action to review and address it. Encouraging violence by urging children to take knives to school is illegal. I expect platforms to abide by the letter of the law, and where the content is illegal, they should take action to stop these abhorrent posts.'
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that officers are aware of the social media posts circulating and are in contact with schools in several London boroughs. Additionally, Avon and Somerset Police have issued warnings about similar posts and announced plans for additional patrols.
Education Leaders Voice Alarm
Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), expressed strong concerns. He said ASCL supports police and schools in actions they are having to take 'to stop this latest trend turning into real-world violence'.
'Barely a week goes by without something appalling happening on social media. This is the latest example of the wild west environment on these platforms – in this case, all too literally,' he remarked. 'As ever, schools, families and the police are left to pick up the pieces, while social media companies are far too lax on policing their platforms. When will they get their house in order, and when will the Government take stronger action to make them do so?'
Police Operations and Warnings
The Met Police are actively monitoring online spaces and have collaborated with social media platforms to request the disabling of a dozen accounts that encourage threats or violence. Commander Neerav Patel emphasized: 'I would like to remind young people of the serious consequences of getting involved in matters like this. An arrest, charge and conviction for violence and carrying weapons could mean imprisonment with a significant long-term impact on future opportunities.'
In Bristol and south Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset Police have noted several posts but report no evidence of actual incidents occurring. Hannah Woodhouse, executive director of children and education at Bristol City Council, has encouraged parents, carers, and teachers to discuss the consequences of violence with children.
Broader Implications and Calls for Action
This incident highlights ongoing issues with social media platforms and their role in youth safety. The 'school wars' trend underscores the urgent need for stricter regulation and proactive measures from both tech companies and government bodies to prevent such dangerous content from spreading.
As authorities continue to address this threat, the focus remains on protecting pupils and ensuring that online environments do not become breeding grounds for real-world violence.
