Teachers are increasingly the target of abuse through social media, according to a new survey from the largest teachers’ union in the UK.

NASUWT found that of the 1,500 teachers that took part in its poll, 60 per cent had experienced negative comments directed towards them from both parents and pupils.

Last year, this figure was 21 per cent, which is a massive swing to say the least. Interestingly, the results show that this increase is down to more parents using social media to criticise teachers.

For example, in 2015, 40 per cent of teachers said that online abuse had come from their pupils’ parents. In 2014 this was 27 per cent.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said that its findings are “deeply worrying”.

“Equally concerning is that it appears that more parents are the perpetrators of the abuse,” he continued.

“The vile, insulting and personal comments are taking their toll on teachers’ health and wellbeing and undermining their confidence to do their job.

“Many teachers tell us that they suspect they are being abused online but dare not look, for fear they could never walk into their school again to have to face their abusers.”

He added by saying that the next government needs to make a concerted effort to tackle this and encourage schools to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to online abuse.

According to NASUWT, the majority of abuse experienced by teachers occurs through Facebook.

The kind of abuse directed towards them varies significantly. Most common of all are racist, sexist and homophobic language, followed by derisive remarks about appearance, sexuality and competence as professionals.