Uproar as students ban clapping

CLAPPING has been banned among students at a top British university – in case it triggers anxiety.

The University of Manchester Students’ Union claims the loud noise of rapturous applause can also upset those with sensory issues.

They voted last week to show appreciation silently with “jazz hands”, which involves waving with palms facing outwards.

But the move was ridiculed yesterday as one critic tweeted it was typical of “this pathetic, weak snowflake generation”. TV presenter Piers Morgan said: “Britain’s losing its mind.”

And referring to the First World War, Jeremy Vine said: “Glad some brave young souls decided to ignore the difficulties caused by sudden noises 100 years ago.”

Twitter user Kimmy Delight wrote: “How is this accessible to blind students?

“I have severe anxiety and major depression. No, clapping should not be banned! How ridiculous! What next? Ban children from laughing? You’re just catering to the illness instead of helping people to get over it.”

Student George Burgon, 19, of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “I don’t know why they are wasting their time when there are more important things going on in the world.”

Becca McArthur tweeted: “I have anxiety but I’m not afraid to clap.”

But one woman, who backed the idea, said that for her autistic son, clapping was “like having pins pushed in his ears”. The students’ union argued that jazz hands would be a more inclusive form of expression by using sign language.

The union’s Sara Khan denied the decision was a ban.

Whooping

She said: “We are just encouraging the use of British Sign Language clapping. It’s just like using another language.

“In environments where students are having debates we want as many people as possible to take part.” She said the motion had been passed “overwhelmingly”.

Manchester University to comment yesterday.

It is not the first time students have made a stand over the sound of loud applause.

In March 2015, students asked delegates at a conference to wave in silence as others found certain noises like “whooping” to be “super inaccessible”. declined