In London, the creators of the popular Netflix series “Adolescence” are igniting important discussions about protecting children from harmful online content, including violent misogyny. On Monday, these filmmakers found a receptive audience at Downing Street, where they were welcomed for talks concerning child protection by the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. The Prime Minister expressed his support for a Netflix initiative that aims to offer the series free of charge to secondary schools across the UK, enabling more teenagers to access its content.
The British-made series delves into challenging issues through the lens of a 13-year-old boy accused of stabbing a female classmate, addressing how social media — often hidden from adult oversight — might contribute to such tragic events. Since its release in March, “Adolescence” has captivated viewers globally, accumulating 66.3 million views and stirring significant discussion.
Keir Starmer shared the difficulty of watching the series with his own children, ages 14 and 16, yet emphasized its educational potential in schools. By showcasing the drama, students could gain a deeper understanding of misogyny’s impact, online radicalization dangers, and the essence of healthy relationships.
“The whole nation seems engaged with ‘Adolescence,’ and not just our own,” Starmer remarked. “As a father, watching with your kids is tough, as it taps into parental fears and concerns.” He pointed out the wider societal issues at play rather than attributing blame to a single source, noting the profound societal damage caused by misogyny.
Jack Thorne, a co-writer of the show, expressed the desire to spark dialogue, noting the opportunity to bring the conversation to schools exceeded their hopes. “We aspire to inspire discussions among teachers and students, but more importantly, amongst the students themselves,” he said.
Actor Stephen Graham, who also helped create the series and portrays the accused boy’s father, stressed that the story focuses on an individual’s seemingly ordinary life. He highlighted a common reaction to youth knife crime: questioning the suspect’s upbringing. However, Graham challenged this by suggesting broader accountability — whether it be the school environment, societal norms, parental roles, or community influences.
Soma Sara, who established a charity focused on exposing child-on-child sexual violence and addressing “rape culture” in schools, warned that such issues are surfacing in even younger children. Her organization, Everyone’s Invited, has received disturbing testimonies from young victims, including 1,600 reports from elementary settings. This emphasizes the urgency of addressing misogynistic attitudes well before adolescence.
Sara stated that banning social media for children, such as Australia’s under-16 prohibition, isn’t feasible. Instead, her charity promotes digital literacy education, teaching youth to critically analyze and question harmful narratives they encounter online. “There’s a significant generational gap today. Parents must become digitally savvy to comprehend the platforms — Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok — that captivate their children’s attention,” she advised.
The acclaim of “Adolescence” aligns with rising concerns regarding children’s smartphone usage and the rampant access to social media–driven misogynistic content. Controversial figures like Andrew and Tristan Tate exemplify this trend. Both face criminal charges involving human trafficking and forming criminal organizations to exploit women.
Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, recently denounced the deleterious influence of such figures, pointing to over one million annual crimes in the UK linked to violence against women and girls, constituting one-fifth of all recorded offenses.
“This is a collective issue,” Sara emphasized. “Adolescence illustrates that responsibility lies with us all when youthful allegations arise — acknowledging our shared responsibility is paramount.”