Nairobi Teachers Warn of Rising Indiscipline Linked to Social Media

Teachers in Nairobi are raising the alarm over a surge in student misbehaviour they link to unrestricted social media use. At a forum held on October 25, 2025, at a city-centre teachers’ conference, educators reported frequent incidents where learners mobilise online to coordinate protests, share abusive messages and challenge school authority via platforms like WhatsApp and TikTok. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued circulars forbidding membership in groups flagged for exam malpractice and has instructed school administrators to intensify monitoring of social-media activity during exam seasons.
The issue stems from deepening challenges in classroom discipline and school culture. Studies exploring Nairobi County schools note that more than 70 % of administrators believe that social networking sites play a significant role in escalating student misconduct. Teachers revealed key moments in this new dynamic—students posting derogatory remarks about teachers, planning disruptive behaviour off-campus, and refusing to comply with delegated tasks after viral posts. One teacher explained that disciplinary channels have been bypassed entirely once a student spreads grievances on social media, creating a loss of real-time control in the classroom.
Reactions among stakeholders reflect both concern and urgency. School heads called for enhanced teacher training in digital-citizenship education, while parent-teacher associations demanded stricter enforcement of smartphone restrictions during school time. Experts warn that if unchecked, the shift could erode authority in public schools and widen the gap between respectful learning environments and chaotic classrooms. A teacher attending the conference noted, The teacher is no longer the first filter — the phone is.
Looking ahead, the TSC and Nairobi County education officials are piloting a new initiative to strengthen digital literacy among learners and enforce anti-cyber harassment protocols in schools. Plans also include installing mobile-device jammers during lesson times in boarding schools and launching peer-mentoring programmes where senior students coach juniors on responsible social-media habits. If successfully implemented, the initiative could help reclaim school culture and restore discipline in Nairobi classrooms.