Mark Oliphant College issues warning to parents on controversial influencer Andrew Tate

One of the state’s largest public schools has warned it’s on parents to stop students spouting the hateful, misogynistic views of globally condemned influencer Andrew Tate.

One of the state’s largest public schools says a “large number” of its students are spouting the hateful, misogynistic views of reviled influencer Andrew Tate, calling on parents to intervene or it will take further action.

Mark Oliphant College is the latest in a list of schools writing to parents urging them to discuss Tate’s sexist and “violent” ideas, prompting clinical psychologist Simon Andrews to call for an Australia-wide, school-wide approach on how to tackle influencers.

“If his page gets a few more likes because we’re raising awareness then I think that’s small compared to the bigger picture of protecting our children and educating our children in regard to all of these influencers,” Mr Andrews, of Optimistic Kids, said.

Catholic Education SA said they “would welcome any conversation that opens dialogue about what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour”.

Andrew Tate has been banned by Facebook and Instagram owner Meta.

Tate, a British-American kickboxer and entrepreneur, has been globally condemned for his views, which include that women belong in the home, can’t drive and are a man’s property.

He has said sexual assault victims must bear some responsibility for attacks on them and that he dates women aged 18–19 because he can “make an imprint” on them.

He has also talked about hitting and choking women and controlling their movements.

Mr Andrews told The Advertiser as a society we had failed to tackle the dangers mobile phones presented to our children and parents aren’t aware of what their kids were looking at.

He suggested parents “gather information first” from their children about whether they know who Tate is and, if they don’t, “I wouldn’t take it any further”.

“If the said yes, I would get my child’s opinion on him before I started mine,” he said.

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate lives a playboy lifestyle.

Tate’s wealth and playboy lifestyle have made him a cult figure among teenage boys and young men around the world, who have also taken on his views.

It has been reported that in some Australian schools, female teachers and girls as young as 10 as being subjected to daily sexual harassment as a result.

The letter from Mark Oliphant said they were “experiencing a large number of students who are perpetuating the rhetoric of a TikTok influencer called Andrew Tate”.

“He has a series of TikToks and videos promoting dangerous views of sexism, toxic masculinity and authoritarian remarks,” it said.

“These videos are aimed at young men and we have seen a sharp increase in our Middle Years Students following these beliefs.”

The letter asks parents to have a conversation with their children and name the behaviour for what it is: “misogynistic and violent”.

It comes after Unley High and Black Forest Primary sent letters to their communities with similar concerns.

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been banned by Facebook and Instagram owner Meta.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said “out of date misogynistic and toxic views” had no place in schools and he applauded the schools in addressing the matter “head on”.

“It’s important local sites have the autonomy to do so, so they can manage any localised situations in a proactive way,” My Boyer said.

He said the Education Department had a child safety and respectful relationships curriculum for children aged three to Year 12 that looks at consent and online safety.

“As we learn more and become aware of issues affecting our young people, we look to constantly update and evolve the curriculum,” he said.

Independent Education SA secretary Glen Seidel said a statewide approach to deal with influencers, such as Tate, gave them “oxygen” they don’t need.

The Education Department said schools were best placed to discuss issues with their communities when they arise.