Is this true 🤔

[PupsAndKittens]

At college today we where told that they would be tightening up the policy regarding swearing and that there would be zero tolerance from now on, and they gave us the classic “you wouldn’t be allowed at work.” Um, There is swearing all the time at all the places I’ve worked (every manager I’ve ever had has used Fuck every other sentence). Anyway, we all asked why does it it matter, providing it’s not said offensively for example “the book I reed was shit”. Our teacher replied with Because as some of the class are under 18 (year 13) its illegal for swearing to be said in there presence whilst in an educational setting, unless for educational purposes (they said that it was also illegal for Under 18s to use phones in educational settings, unless for educational purposes)

AIBU to think this is completely made up. Because I can tell you now if it wasn't most of my teachers would be sacked. And as for the phones I know that Currently not true, as France are the only country at the moment to have Criminalised phones in schools. I do know that the UK are considering doing this (which I don’t believe in, as I think it’s a bigger safeguarding issue – for example, what if a child gets attached on the way home, they have no one to call for help).

And just to make it even more baffling, the teacher that told us all this is NOTORIOUS for his extremely explicit language (practically every other sentence has a swear word in it, usually Fuck)

I just think it is a bit patronising at 17 to tell them they are too young to hear swear words. I know that they are technically a minor but come on you can see majority of films at the cinema at that age. And I think it’s funny that they say that they want to treat everyone as adults, but they won’t let people speak like adults.

Anyway, what I want to know is it ACTUALLY ILLEGAL or a just scare-mongering tactic. If anyone knows what act this comes from please let me know, as I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Many thanks

It’s not illegal but colleges can decide their own rules regarding use of language. Personally, I think they are right. It is poor use of expressive language to swear. I have never done any job where swearing was appropriate. Yes, the odd expletive might come out but not an every day occurrence.

If you need to express yourself in a more academic and mature way then swearing just isn’t acceptable. Use better and more descriptive words about how you feel or what the book was like.

The lecturers should be doing the same and my DD complained about a lecturer swearing on a summer school course at a university. Who needs to hear this? It’s not good enough in an educational setting. This is not tv, film or entertainment. If a lecturer kept swearing I would report them. I would absolutely not expect a 17 year old to hear swearing from a teacher nor from class mates in class. It’s cheap and frankly unedifying.

Re phones- they aren’t saying you can’t have a phone in your bag, just that you can’t use it in and educational setting. My DCs old school had no phone rule but they switched them off as they arrive at school and on when they leave for home.
No actual laws about this as far as I know but they can set their own rules and policies about the standard of behaviour.

Swearing can be illegal depending on the context regardless of age but not as a whole statement.

They should have some policy about dignity and respect in the classroom. I have never worked anywhere where swearing was acceptable or the norm even outside education.
Teachers shouldn't be swearing end of.

The phone policy is up to school but generally a sensible policy to have.
Again it depends what you are doing via your phone as to whether the activity is illegal or not, rather than just having a phone.

No it’s not illegal.

But you shouldn’t be swearing at college or using your phone if it’s against the rules.

Being able to switch off swearing is a good ability to have, and yes many workplaces frown upon swearing so it’s good that your college wants you to practise this skill.

Given what you said about the person telling you this

Is there the teeniest tiniest possibility that this is all part of a mass psychology experiment?

From a quick search: In England and Wales, swearing in public where it is seen to cause harassment, alarm or distress may constitute an offence under section 5(1) and (6) of the Public Order Act 1986. In practice the police have better things to do. In the United Kingdom, swearing in the workplace can be an act of gross misconduct under certain circumstances.

My employee handbook makes it clear it is an offence and profanity at my employer thankfully is not the norm. It is also about respect for others, I abhor profanities and hearing them makes me very uncomfortable.

There is swearing all the time at all the places I’ve worked (every manager I’ve ever had has used Fuck every other sentence)

I assume you have never worked in a professional environment. Have you heard school teachers swear? Your GP? Hospital staff?

Because as some of the class are under 18 (year 13) its illegal for swearing to be said in there presence whilst in an educational setting, unless for educational purposes

Colleges can and do have students aged 14. They wouldn't hear swearing at school so why should they be exposed to it in college?

Oh and

It's or it is
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