Safeguarding Update: Understanding the “School Wars” Trend
A recent social‑media trend known as “school wars” has raised concerns across the UK. Posts shared on platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have divided schools into rival “teams” and, in some cases, encouraged young people to meet up for physical confrontations. Although these posts often spread quickly, police have stressed that even “joke” content can create fear and lead to unsafe situations.
At Osborne School, we want to reassure families that there is no evidence of this trend affecting our school community. However, because these posts can circulate widely online, we want to ensure parents are informed and supported. National reports have shown that some content names real schools, encourages meet‑ups, or uses gaming‑style point systems to promote harmful behaviour. Even when unverified, this kind of messaging can cause unnecessary worry for young people.
To help keep your child safe, we encourage regular conversations about what they see online. Check privacy settings, stay aware of who they interact with, and remind them not to attend any meet‑ups arranged through social media. If you ever come across worrying content, please report it and contact us so we can support you.
Helpful Links for Parents
For further guidance on keeping young people safe online, you may find these resources useful:
UK Safer Internet Centre – Tips and advice for parents:
https://saferinternet.org.ukNSPCC Online Safety Hub – Guidance on apps, privacy settings and talking to children about online risks:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/Parent Zone – Digital safety advice and guides to popular platforms:
https://parentzone.org.ukThinkUKnow (National Crime Agency) – Trusted information on online safety for families:
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parentsChildline – Support for young people if they feel worried or scared:
https://www.childline.org.uk
If you have any concerns, please contact the Osborne School safeguarding team. We are here to support every family and help keep our Osborne community safe.
