MORE than 10,000 pupils were suspended for inappropriate social media use in a year — with 108 expelled.

       It marks a rise of 56 per cent in 12 months and means 54 kids per school day were ordered away from primaries and secondaries, Department for Education stats show.

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       Over 10,000 pupils were suspended for inappropriate social media use in a year — with 108 expelled Credit: PA

       There were 10,319 suspensions in the year to July 2022, up from 6,626 in 2021.

       Year 9 pupils — aged 13 and 14 — were most often in trouble.

       But there were 428 suspensions and two expulsions for kids in primary school.

       Cases include bullying and abuse.

       Some involved photoshopping images of teachers into porn videos.

       Last year, a conference was told one in 20 primary pupils had shared nude images.

       Susanna Davies, of Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adolescents, said: “For every pupil expelled for inappropriate use, there will be countless child victims exposed to bullying, sex content and grooming.”

       Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said heads who allow smartphones in class were “guilty of inadvertent child abuse”.

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       Ministers are to discuss social media bans for under-16s.