Clear and achievable goals must be set in tackling violence in schools

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

It’s welcome news that First Minister John Swinney is to host a fresh summit on how best to tackle violence in Scotland’s schools.

The SNP leader has met with victims and their parents and understands this is an issue that cannot be ignored. Bullying has sadly always been present in schools, but the rise in smartphone usage and the social media age has added an extra level.

Some kids now fear not just being attacked in playgrounds, but also that footage of the incident will be recorded on someone’s phone and quickly shared online. It means victims are forced to relive their trauma over and over again. Smartphones are a fact of life but their use in schools should be strictly regulated, with pupils warned not to use them as tools of abuse.

If some kids can’t be trusted to use their smartphones on school grounds, teachers should have the right to confiscate them. Bullies can’t be allowed to make the lives of others a misery for their own amusement.

The Record has led the way in highlighting this growing problem and calling for social media giants like YouTube to work more swiftly to remove violent footage from their platforms. While it’s welcome a fresh summit will take place, it cannot be allowed to become just another talking shop.

Clear and achievable goals must be set. The voices of teachers and parents must be listened to. School bosses can’t pretend this is not a real issue that needs dealt with.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Not-so-easy rider

Congratulations to Paddy McGuinness who cycled 300 miles this week to raise millions of pounds for good causes supported by Children In Need.

Along the way, the BBC Radio 2 presenter cited Sir Chris Hoy as an inspiration and praised another great Scot, Sir Tom Hunter, who matched £3million in donations from the public.

Paddy, 51, can be proud of his incredible achievement. After all, the bike he was riding was a Raleigh Chopper, a favourite of kids who grew up in the 70s but not exactly state of the art for clocking up road miles.

It took Paddy five days to go from Wrexham in Wales to Scotland. He finished up at BBC Scotland’s Glasgow headquarters yesterday, having received a boost from the crowds who lined the streets to cheer him.

His achievement means hundreds, if not thousands, of children’s lives will be made better. His contribution to the BBC Children in Need 2024 campaign is every bit as inspirational as those people he saluted along the way.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.