Addressing Intolerance: Why It Matters for Our Students
Children and teenagers are growing up in a world where opinions, influences and interactions move quickly—both online and offline. Among the many things they encounter, intolerance can have a significant impact on their wellbeing and sense of safety. Whether it appears as casual comments, stereotypes, exclusion, or hateful content online, intolerance is more than unkindness; it can be a sign that a young person is struggling, influenced by harmful narratives, or at risk of escalating behaviours.
Addressing it early, calmly and consistently helps prevent small issues from turning into deeper concerns, and we need your support as parents to ensure that is happening.
Why It’s Important to Address Intolerance Early
1. Every child deserves the right to feel safe
Our aim at Brighton Hill is to ensure that every student, no matter their background or upbringing, can come to school feeling safe and happy, and be in an environment that promotes positive learning experiences.
2. Intolerance often hides bigger worries
Sometimes prejudiced or hostile comments are not just about the group being targeted - they can be an early indicator of stress, unmet emotional needs, or exposure to harmful content. Early signs of intolerance or hostility can be part of a wider pattern of vulnerability for the perpetrator rather than isolated misbehaviour.
3. Harmful attitudes can escalate online
Children today are exposed to a huge range of online influences, including misinformation, edited or AI‑generated images, and content designed to provoke strong reactions. These online spaces can spread intolerance quickly, sometimes normalising harmful views before adults even know they’ve appeared. See my previous blog post on the risks of AI for further information: https://www.brightonhill.org/blog/?pid=43&nid=5&storyid=70
4. Misogyny and discriminatory behaviour are growing areas of concern
Many organisations working with young people have seen an increasing link between intolerance, such as misogynistic attitudes, and harmful behaviours such as peer conflict, disrespect in relationships, or inappropriate online interactions. Spotting and challenging these attitudes early helps prevent them becoming entrenched.
How Parents and Carers Can Make a Difference.
Start conversations early and revisit them often:
Ask your child what they are seeing online, what people are saying at school and how certain comments make them feel. Regular, low-pressure conversations make it easier for them to come to you if something worries them.
Challenge intolerance calmly:
If your child expresses something prejudicial, avoid confrontation. Instead, ask where they heard it, what they think it means, and help them explore why it might be harmful. This builds understanding rather than defensiveness.
Help them question online content:
Encourage young people to ask:
- Who made this?
- What’s the purpose behind it?
- Could it be edited or AI‑generated?
Model respect and curiosity:
Children learn a great deal from observing adult behaviour. Demonstrating respectful discussions, openness to others’ experiences and a willingness to learn sends a strong message.
Further Support.
If you would like to talk about this important issue in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact the safeguarding team via: safeguarding@bhcs.sfet.org.uk