Teachers are reportedly quitting their jobs after being falsely labelled as paedophiles by students in TikTok videos.
The nationwide TikTok 'teaching-bashing' craze has seen students make 'derogatory comments' about educators, including falsely labelling staff as adulterers and paedophiles.
Unions have warned that the harmful TikTok videos are causing teachers to quit their jobs, while the videos have been reported to the police, The Telegraph reported.
Our Lady and St Patrick's High School in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, has been hit by the harmful craze and has urged parents to check their children's phones after a string of derogatory videos were shared on social media.
Elsewhere, Cwmtawe Community School in Wales had to call the police after a meme falsely suggested one teacher was an offender, while The de Ferrers Academy in Burton has seen students covertly taking pictures of teachers in class to use in often 'sexualised' videos.
Pupils at Our Lady and St Patrick's High School (pictured) in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, have been sharing abusive content about teachers on social media
The NASUWT teachers union has warned that the social media craze was leading to teachers quitting the profession.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: 'If there is any evidence that companies like TikTok are actively promoting or inciting the abuse of teachers, this is wholly unacceptable and urgent action must be taken immediately by the Government.
'There is simply no excuse for abuse of teachers whose lives are being ruined as a result of the posting of malicious content on these social media platforms.'
TikTok says it has taken down hundreds of pieces of content, as well as banning accounts where that is appropriate, and is using new technology to better detect abusive material.
Meanwhile, Scotland's biggest teaching union says it will 'consider all options' to safeguard its members from abuse and urged councils to get police to investigate specific incidents where appropriate.
Students at Our Lady and St Patrick's High School in Dumbarton have falsely labelled teachers as paedophiles in a string of TikTok videos.
A letter from Our Lady's head teacher Christopher Smith, written in partnership with council education chief Laura Mason, was issued to parents and carers and published on the school's social media feeds last week.
In the letter, Mr Smith wrote: 'We are aware of a number of TikTok accounts and videos that have been created that include images of and derogatory comments about our teaching staff and pupils.
The TikTok craze has seen students make 'derogatory comments' about staff and other pupils, including falsely labelling staff as adulterers and paedophiles (stock image)
'I am sure you can imagine how upsetting this can be for anyone subjected to this.
'Given our continued focus on ensuring our schools provide inclusive, diverse learning environments where our young people can thrive, we cannot tolerate this.'
The letter added: 'We would encourage you to monitor your child's use of their phone and in particular social media sites and their contents.'
Police Scotland has been made aware of the 'upsetting' jibes being hurled at staff by students at Our Lady and St Patrick's High School.
West Dunbartonshire Council's education convener, Councillor Karen Conaghan said: 'I'd ask pupils to try and put themselves in the other person's shoes and ask themselves if they'd like to be treated in that manner.
'Pupils need to know that such behaviour has consequences.'
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie labelled the footage as 'completely inappropriate', adding: 'Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and this extends to the way they are treated on social media platforms, as well as in person.
'I know that Our Lady and St Patrick's teaches its pupils to be courteous and respectful and the school is right to crack down on anyone found to be making such videos.'
A spokesman for Educational Institute of Scotland said: 'This is an issue of growing concern, and the EIS will consider all options to protect its members from this unacceptable abuse.
'Local authorities should be taking appropriate steps to protect their employees, including potential police involvement where appropriate.'
A TikTok spokesperson said: 'We are crystal clear that hateful behaviour, bullying and harassment have no place on TikTok. We regret the distress caused to some teachers as a result of abusive content posted to our platform.
'We've already deployed additional technical measures and guidance, and we continue to proactively detect and remove violative content and accounts.
'While anyone can report inappropriate content in-app, we also partner with the Professional Online Safety Helpline to provide teachers with an additional way to report content, and we have committed additional funding for this service in light of recent events.
'We have written to every school in the country to ensure all staff have access to the resources they need, and we'll continue to work with affected schools, teachers, parents, unions and other partners to stamp out this intolerable abuse.'
The widespread TikTok craze has also seen students at The de Ferrers Academy in Burton secretly taking pictures of teachers and using them in often 'sexualised' videos.
Principal Kathy Hardy has warned that such incidents would not be tolerated at the Burton school and leaders were investigating to find out which pupils were involved.
She said: 'Many of the images are sexualised and the language and tone wholly inappropriate and hurtful.
'Images have been taken covertly while staff
