UK law may request teachers to report ‘terrorist toddlers’

The British House of Commons is debating an anti-terrorism legislation which would require teachers in nurseries, elementary schools and other educational institutions to report children between ages 3 to 11 with 'terrorist inclinations'.

According to the new law, children who show signs of 'terrorist tendencies' would be tracked and reported by teachers. Suspicious acts which are encouraged to be monitored closely by teachers include using extremist radical words and displaying violent actions.

British media outlets note that nurseries and schools should ensure that their staff is well-informed about how to identify the ideologies shared and promoted by terrorist groups.
According to the Independent newspaper, a government spokesperson has said that schools are obliged to take care of their pupils and staff and the new duty in the proposed counter-terrorism and security bill emphasizes the need to prevent individuals from joining terrorist organizations.

Others have criticized the bill for being impractical and heavy-handed, while claiming that the bill forces teachers to involuntarily become spies against their students.