Secondary school pupils across England are set to receive a crash course on how to navigate the toxic 'incel' culture, its links to pornography-fuelled misogyny, and why positive male role models matter, under new statutory government guidance due for publication on Tuesday. The move comes as alarming data reveals an "epidemic scale" of misogynistic attitudes among 11-19 year olds.
According to a Department for Education (DfE) survey, an astonishing 54% of young people in this age group had encountered misogynistic comments within the last week. A further 37% expressed concern for girls' safety due to such remarks. In response, education leaders are being urged to use the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum to equip pupils with the resilience they need to resist online harms from an early age.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson warned that young people are constantly bombarded by online content, from social media influencers to algorithms that can lead to damaging behaviour. She said the updated RSHE curriculum is designed to build "resilience against the tidal wave of toxic content" in an age-appropriate manner.
The new guidance also tackles mental health head-on, requiring schools to seek expert advice on discussing sensitive topics like suicide prevention with pupils. Phillipson likened this approach to physical health, saying it's just as important to teach young people how to distinguish fact from fiction online as it is to educate them about exercise and nutrition.
Other key aspects of the guidance include the clarification that parents have a right to view all RSHE curriculum materials upon request, without any contractual restrictions. This nuanced approach allows teachers flexibility to address issues as they arise, differentiating between primary and secondary levels rather than proscribing specific topics for certain ages.
Margaret Mulholland, a specialist from the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the focus on tackling harmful misogynistic content and praised the recognition of the need to engage boys in discussions about positive male role models. This comprehensive approach aims to empower pupils to make informed choices and develop respectful relationships in an increasingly complex digital world.