Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Racism in schools on the rise since attacks in London and Manchester

by Lauren Codling

'More Muslim children abused since terror attack'


Children as young as nine are being branded terrorists following the spate of recent terror attacks across the UK, Childline has revealed.

The 24-hour counselling service, offered to young children in need, reported that children saying that the "bullying has [intensified]" following the most recent atrocities.

Muslim children said they endured name-calling from other children, who associate them with Daesh (Islamic State).

One girl, 15, said "the boys in my class [call] me a 'terrorist' but my teachers do nothing about it."

There have been accusations of race-related violence, including young girls being targeted when they have worn traditional headscarves and hijabs.

Some youngsters said the constant abuse has made them contemplate self-harm, counsellors who work for the charity said.

There have been more than 2,500 counselling sessions in the past three years relating to racial and faith-based bullying, with some victims of abuse being as young as nine years old, Childline said.

A 12-year-old boy said "people make racist comments to me…[they] shouldn't just assume that just because someone is Muslim they are a terrorist."

Children of Jewish, Christian and Sikh backgrounds have also been affected by the abuse.

Since the Manchester terror attacks in May, Childline has held nearly 300 counselling sessions with children who have had concerns about terrorism.

And following terrorist attacks, such as the Westminster bridge attack in March and the Paris terror attack in 2015, the number of calls they received has significantly increased, the charity said.

Childline president and founder, Dame Esther Rantzen, said: "When these [terrorist] events happen, we adults are so often overwhelmed with horror, we sometimes forget about the children watching too. It's crucial adults are aware of this issue and protect those who may be targeted."

Linda Toft, a spokeswoman for the NSPCC, said bullying "can have devastating effects that last into adulthood. It can lead to mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. At worst, it can lead to self-harm or even suicide."

The NSPCC has offered advice to parents, urging them to talk to their children about bullying as it can leave them feeling "withdrawn and isolated."

More For You

Harry and Meghan urge tougher safeguards to protect children online

Prince Harry criticised tech companies for citing privacy laws to deny access

Getty

Harry and Meghan urge tougher safeguards to protect children online

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have called for stronger protections for children online, warning that not enough is being done to shield young people from the dangers of social media

During a visit to New York, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unveiled a new memorial dedicated to the memory of children whose families believe harmful online content contributed to their deaths. The installation, named the Lost Screen Memorial, features 50 smartphones, each displaying an image of a child lost to what their families describe as the adverse effects of social media. The memorial was made available to the public for 24 hours.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghan exodus soars as Pakistan deadline nears

Afghan refugees arrive at a camp near the Torkham border last Sunday (20)

Afghan exodus soars as Pakistan deadline nears

MORE than 100,000 Afghans have left Pakistan in the past three weeks, the interior ministry said on Tuesday (22), after Islamabad announced the cancellation of residence permits.

Calling Afghans “terrorists and criminals”, the Pakistan government launched its mass eviction campaign on April 1. Analysts said the expulsions are designed to pressure Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, which Islamabad blames for fuelling a rise in border attacks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Government announces funding for offshore wind supply chains

Energy secretary Ed Miliband reads a letter from Britain's King Charles III during the Future of Energy Security Summit at Lancaster House on April 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Government announces funding for offshore wind supply chains

THE government has announced an initial £300 million investment to strengthen domestic offshore wind supply chains ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The funding will be distributed through Great British Energy, the country's publicly-owned clean energy company.

Prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday (24) said the investment aims to support jobs and help the UK reach clean power by 2030.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-pahalgam-getty

'I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,' Modi said in his first speech since the incident.

Getty Images

Modi vows to hunt Kashmir attackers ‘to the ends of the Earth’

INDIA and Pakistan have exchanged a series of diplomatic measures after prime minister Narendra Modi blamed Pakistan for a deadly shooting in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.

Modi said India would identify and punish those behind the attack and accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump

Trump also announced an initiative on historically black colleges and universities and signed orders on AI education and workforce development.

Getty Images

Trump signs orders targeting university diversity policies and accreditation

DONALD TRUMP signed a set of executive orders on Wednesday aimed at US universities, focusing on foreign donations, college accreditation, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

One order directs the federal government to enforce existing laws requiring universities to disclose large foreign gifts. Another addresses accreditation, which Trump has described as a “secret weapon.”

Keep ReadingShow less