Bridgend school warns pupils could face expulsion over abusive TikTok posts

The warning was issued by Ryan Davies, headteacher of Brynteg School, in a letter sent to parents and carers this week.

Mr Davies said the posts used images taken inside the school without permission and described many of the videos as “deeply upsetting, abusive, unkind and entirely untrue.”

Police contacted

The headteacher confirmed the posts had been reported to both TikTok and the police.

He warned that if the person responsible is identified, they could face severe consequences.

In the letter he wrote:

“If the originator is identified, the seriousness of these posts means that permanent exclusion is a possible outcome.”

Posting harmful or defamatory material online could also amount to harassment, defamation or malicious communications under UK law, he added.

Account deletes videos

The TikTok account believed to be linked to the posts has since removed all of its videos.

However, the account page still displays a message saying: “the videos have to be deleted im sorry but i will have a comeback and it will be 10 videos per day but not anytime soon.”

Its profile description also appears to challenge anyone reporting the account, stating: “snitch if u want they wont catch me 😂✌️ ifb | i take requests for teachers and students.”

“Cowardly behaviour”

In his letter, Mr Davies criticised the person behind the posts for attempting to remain anonymous online.

He wrote:

“What is particularly troubling is that the individual responsible appears to be taking pleasure in remaining anonymous, boasting that they ‘won’t be caught’. This behaviour is cowardly and has no place in our school community.”

Pupils who shared posts could face consequences

Although the creator of the videos has not yet been identified, the school said it can see the names of pupils who have liked, commented on or encouraged the content.

Those students could also face disciplinary action under the school’s behaviour policy.

Parents urged to check social media

Parents have now been urged to check their children’s social media activity and discuss the seriousness of the situation.

Mr Davies said:

“If they know who is responsible, the most honourable and responsible action is to ensure the posts are removed immediately and to inform the school.”

He added that while social media can be positive and creative, the posts circulating in this case were “offensive, harmful and completely unacceptable.”

Growing concern about children’s online lives

The incident comes amid growing national concern about how social media is affecting young people.

Earlier this month, Swansea Bay News reported how Llanelli MP Nia Griffith backed calls for tougher rules on children using social media, warning many parents are unaware of what their children are doing online.

Separate research highlighted on Safer Internet Day also revealed a stark gap in parental awareness. A government-backed campaign found half of British parents have NEVER spoken to their children about harmful online content, even though most 11-year-olds now own a smartphone and regularly use social media.

The findings warned that many parents simply do not know what their children are seeing on their screens.

Experts say regular conversations between parents and children about online behaviour are one of the most effective ways to reduce risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content and online harassment.

The headteacher’s letter in full

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Should under‑16s be banned from social media?
A Llanelli MP warns parents about the hidden online worlds children are navigating.

Half of parents have never spoken to kids about harmful content
New figures spark fresh calls for an under‑16s social media ban.

60 Labour MPs back call to ban social media for under‑16s
A growing political push puts pressure on platforms and ministers.

Experts warn of hidden meanings behind popular emojis
A reminder that what kids send online isn’t always what adults think it means.

More social media stories
The latest updates on online safety, digital culture and tech trends.

Should under-16s be banned from social media? Llanelli MP’s urgent plea as parents warned of kids’ secret online lives

The UK Government has launched a major consultation to gather views on how to protect children from the ever-growing risks of social media, AI chatbots, and gaming platforms.

It comes as the debate rages over whether to introduce an Australia-style ban on under-16s using the platforms, a move already backed by a cross-party group of more than 60 MPs, including Gower’s Tonia Antoniazzi and Mid and South Pembrokeshire’s Henry Tufnell.

The consultation will explore a number of significant potential changes, including whether platforms should be forced to switch off addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay, and whether mandatory overnight curfews for social media use would help children sleep better.

The move follows stark warnings on Safer Internet Day that half of parents in Britain have never had a single conversation with their child about harmful online content — even though most 11-year-olds now own a smartphone.

Experts have also warned that many parents are completely unaware of the hidden meanings behind popular emojis, which are increasingly used by young people to discuss everything from drugs and sex to self-harm and bullying.

Now, Dame Nia Griffith has issued a direct plea to families in Llanelli to make their voices heard, saying keeping children safe online is one of the major challenges of our time.

“Parents across Llanelli worry about what social media is doing to their children’s sleep, concentration and mental health. They are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having. They worry about AI, and about their children talking to chatbots as if they’re real people.

“I very much want to see us do much more to protect under-16s from social media, with its very powerful algorithms and increasingly disturbing content, and I would certainly support a ban on under-16s using social media. But, like any legislation, it needs to be carefully thought through, and enforceable.

“The UK Labour Government is determined to act, and I want people in Llanelli to help shape what that looks like.”

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, who met with Dame Nia to discuss the consultation, said the Government was determined to act on the evidence gathered.

“The path to a good life is a great childhood, one full of love, learning and play. That applies just as much to the online world as it does to the real one.

“We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having.”

The three-month consultation is open to everyone, with dedicated versions available for young people and for parents and carers. It can be found at gov.uk and will close on 26 May.

UK gov is consulting on a under-16 social media ban:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation

#UK #under16socialmediaban

Safer Internet Day: Half of parents have NEVER spoken to their kids about harmful content as calls grow to ban social media for under‑16s

That’s the stark warning being issued on Safer Internet Day, as the Government and online safety experts urge parents to “wake up” to what their children are really seeing on their screens — and to start talking before the damage is done.

Ministers have launched a new campaign, You Won’t Know Until You Ask, after research revealed that while most parents think they understand the online world, a quarter admit they have no idea what their child is actually looking at.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said too many children are being left to face toxic content alone.

“Parents tell us they’re worried about what their children see online — and they’re right to be. Harmful content is reaching children younger and faster than ever before. We want to give parents the confidence to start these conversations, even when they feel awkward or difficult.”

She said the campaign is designed to help parents “cut through the noise” and give children the space to talk openly about what they’re seeing.

“This isn’t about spying on children,” she added. “It’s about helping them make sense of a world that can be overwhelming, confusing and sometimes dangerous.”

‘Parents don’t know what their kids are seeing’

The Government says the problem isn’t just what children search for — it’s what social media algorithms push at them. From body‑shaming and rage‑bait to misogynistic influencers and violent clips, harmful content can appear without warning.

The new guidance encourages parents to ask simple, open questions such as “How does this post make you feel?” or “Why do you think someone shared this?” — gentle prompts that help children think critically about what they’re scrolling through.

Officials say these conversations are crucial, because children are far more likely to speak up when something feels wrong if the door is already open.

Experts warn of hidden codes and secret slang

Online safety organisations say parents also need to be alert to the fast‑growing “hidden language” young people use to disguise what they’re talking about.

Safeguarding specialists warn that emojis and abbreviations are increasingly being used to hide bullying, drug references, sexual messages and extremist content — often in plain sight.

Dr Richard Anderson, from High Speed Training, said adults are often completely unaware of what these symbols really mean.

“What looks like a harmless emoji could actually be concealing racist remarks, drug‑related discussions, sexual propositions or cyber bullying. The double meanings give children plausible deniability, which makes it even harder for adults to spot danger early.”

What these emojis REALLY mean

Incel terms
🔴 / 💊 – Refers to the “red pill”, taken from The Matrix. To have “taken the red pill” means believing you’ve realised the “truth” about women and society, often linked to misogynistic ideology.
🔵 – The “blue pill”, meaning someone who is unaware of this so‑called “truth”.
⚫ – The “black pill”, an extreme, nihilistic belief that an incel’s lack of sexual success is predetermined and cannot be changed.
💥 / 🧨 – An “exploding red pill”, used to identify someone as an incel.
💯 – Linked to the “80/20 rule”, a belief that 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men.
🫘 – Used to identify or self‑identify as an incel.

Potentially bullying or threatening emojis
❄ – Calling someone overly sensitive or easily offended (“snowflake”).
🧢 – Suggesting someone is lying (“cap”).
🐍 – Calling someone untrustworthy or a “back‑stabber”.
👊 or 🤕👉🤕 or 👊👉🚑 – Threats of physical violence.
👻 – Being “ghosted” — ignored or dumped without explanation.
💉 or 🤔🔫 or 💊🛀💀 or 🛤🚶💀 – Emojis that can signify self‑harm or suicidal ideation.

Drug references
🥦 / 🌳 / 🍁 / 💨 / 🎱 – Marijuana, cannabis or weed.
❄ / 🥥 / ⛄ / 🤧 / 🔑 – Cocaine.
🔌 – A drug dealer.

Sexual references
🔨 / 👉👌 / 👉🌭 / 👉🌮 – Sex or sexual activity.
🥵 / 🔥 – “Hot”, in a sexual sense.
🌶 / 😵 – Inappropriate or “spicy” content; seeing something X‑rated.
✂ – Lesbian.
🍑 / 🚚 – Buttocks.
🌮 / 🍉 / 🍯 / 🌷 / 🍩 – Female genitalia.
🍌 / 🍆 / 🌽 – Penis.
🍒 / 🐫 / 🍻 – Breasts.
🍒 – Virginity.
👅 / 👄 / 🧠 / 🍭 – Oral sex.
🍑 🍆 – Anal sex.
💦 / 🎤 – Orgasm or ejaculation.
🎤‍🙆‍♀️ – Female orgasm.
✊ 💦 / 👋 – Masturbation.
🍝 – “Nudes” — nude or semi‑nude photographs.
🌽 – Pornography.

Text abbreviations to watch for
Incel terms: AWALT (“all women are like that”), ER (Elliot Rodger; “doing an ER” refers to following his violent example), LDAR (“lay down and rot”).
Bullying/threats: 182 (“I hate you”), GTFO, IDGAF, KYS, STFU.
Self‑harm: KMS (“kill myself”).
Drugs: 420 (cannabis).
Sexual references: 53X (sex), 9/CD9/Code 9 (parents nearby), 99 (parents gone), ASL (age/sex/location), BJ, CU46, DPW, DTF, F2F, PRON (porn), S2R (“send to receive”), WYLL (“what do you look like?”).

Political pressure builds for an under‑16s social media ban

The warnings come as Westminster faces a major political fight over whether children should be allowed on social media at all.

Last month, the House of Lords voted 261 to 150 to support a ban on under‑16s using major platforms — a move backed by Conservative, Liberal Democrat and crossbench peers, as well as some Labour peers.

Supporters say teenage social media use has become a “societal catastrophe”, linking it to mental health problems, online radicalisation and classroom disruption. More than 60 Conservative MPs and a growing number of Labour MPs have publicly backed the idea, following similar moves in Australia.

But charities including the NSPCC warn a blanket ban could push children onto even more dangerous, unregulated sites. Labour has also said it won’t support the Lords’ amendment, calling the issue “extremely complex”.

The Government is now running a three‑month consultation looking at a possible ban, overnight curfews, tougher age checks and measures to curb “doom‑scrolling”.

What parents should do today

Ministers and safety experts say the most important step parents can take is simply to start talking — today, not tomorrow.

They say parents should explore apps with their children, stay calm and curious rather than confrontational, and make it normal for children to talk about things that upset or confuse them.

NSPCC: Six tips for healthier online habits

1. Make screen time meaningful
Talk about how your child uses their devices and help them balance online time with offline activities. Create screen‑free zones and use wellbeing tools on apps to encourage breaks.

2. Help them handle the negative
Explore safety settings together so they know how to mute, block or report harmful content. Encourage them to follow accounts that make them feel good and step away from anything that doesn’t.

3. Remind them that seeing isn’t believing
Talk about filters, edited images and the “highlight reel” nature of social media. Help them question what they see and how it makes them feel.

4. Let them learn from mistakes
If they slip up online, stay calm. Regular conversations build trust and help children bounce back from challenges.

5. Be the role model
Children copy what adults do. Show healthy habits by taking breaks, avoiding negative content and keeping your own online behaviour positive and open.

6. Keep the conversation going
Choose relaxed moments to talk about their online life. Give them space to think and speak without judgement so they feel safe coming to you.

Parents can find full guidance at kidsonlinesafety.campaign.gov.uk.

Im actually pretty relieved this morning that under 16s are banned from FB TikTok etc.

They don't need to see graphic unregulated clips circulating SocMed.

#socmedban
#bondishooting
#wearenotAmerica
#under16socialmediaban

Just had to complete my 1st age verification test under the new AU laws. Biometric based.

Now let's wait for even more of my PII to leak.

Not happy. I would have preferred to use myGov app and Trust Exchange (except it's not working yet) instead of handing more PII to another foreign commercial org.

(Yes, I know I can't trust Gov either, but lesser of two evils?)

https://www.biometricupdate.com/202412/australia-piloting-mygov-app-and-trust-exchange-for-sharing-medical-data

#Privacy #Under16SocialMediaBan

Australian Labor Government:

Social media predatory algorithms: BAN!

Gambling predatory algorithms: Personal Responsibility™

#AusPol #Under16SocialMediaBan #GamblingAdvertising

I can't be the only Millennial parent pissing myself laughing at the headline "What is Roblox" as if none of us has ever been on the internet or watched our kids play it

#Roblox #SocialMediaBan #parenting #Under16SocialMediaBan

What is Roblox and should parents be worried about whether it’s safe for children?
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/08/what-is-roblox-is-it-safe-healthy-for-children

So I guess they're going ahead with this nonsense. Does anyone know if the under 16s social media ban covers Australian fediverse servers like this one?

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/what-to-know-about-under-16s-social-media-ban/cunrckq5u

#auspol #under16socialmediaban #SocialMediaBan #digitalsurveillance #surveillance #austodon