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Online bullying over social media could be linked to declining school attendance rates, according to a .

The National Foundation for Educational Research () found students, parents and schools feel the wellbeing of children is a “major factor” behind rising absence rates since the pandemic.

The increasing cost of holidays outside of term time and keeping children home for minor illnesses were highlighted as other factors.

Following the study, the government has been urged to revisit issuing fines for non-attendance, which the research found were generally considered to be unhelpful.

Rates of persistent absence more than doubled after the pandemic in English secondary schools, rising from 13.7 per cent in 2018-19 to 27.7 per cent in 2021-22, and stood at 23.4 per cent in 2024-25.

Researchers interviewed parents, carers, senior leaders and students from 10 secondary schools who had been persistently absent and conducted a survey of almost 400 parents and carers from eight of the schools.

Reasons for student absence

School staff generally reported an increase in student wellbeing concerns since the pandemic, which they believed was linked to falling attendance, the report says.

Over half of parents and carers surveyed identified poor student mental health or wellbeing as one of the main reasons they thought school absence rates have increased, while 52 per cent cited the higher cost of holidays outside of term time.

Two in three respondents attributed the reported decline in student wellbeing to increased use of mobile phones and social media. Young people in focus groups suggested increased bullying online had contributed to this.

Students were also found to view taking time off because of poor mental health or wellbeing as legitimate, as did 67 per cent of surveyed parents.

But school staff “frequently” stressed the benefits of going to school for wellbeing.

Social media ban for under-16s

The NFER recommends the government monitor the impact of the social media ban for under-16s on attendance.

It also suggests politicians carefully consider the use of fines, ensure wider public services - such as family support and mental health provision - are adequately resourced and able to work with schools, and ensure sufficient funding for attendance staff and interventions.

For schools, it recommends that creating a safe and supportive environment remains a priority, taking into account the impact of bullying. It advises a “curious and supportive mindset” when dealing with cases of persistent absence.

Ruth Maisey, programme head at the , which funded the research, said: “It is striking that families consistently identified supportive relationships and communication as having the most positive impact on student absence.

“In contrast, fines were considered counterproductive for tackling absences related to health or wellbeing because they place strain on the relationships that schools are working to build.”

Ms Maisey said the government may wish to “revisit” the fines policy, arguing that current penalties are “insufficient” to deter holiday‑related absences.

The said it has “long argued” fines are a “blunt instrument” that fail to address the root causes of absence.

“There is now an opportunity for the new government to rethink its use of fines and better support the hard work schools already do to encourage attendance,” NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said.

The Department for Education said that schools had seen the biggest year-on-year improvement in attendance in a decade, and that the rollout of mental health support teams would be accelerated alongside investment in attendance mentors and free breakfast clubs.

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