- Wednesday, April 02, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
The critically acclaimed Netflix series Adolescence has ignited widespread discussions across the UK and beyond on the dangers of online misogyny and harmful content on social media. Now, the makers of the show have caught the attention of British prime minister Keir Starmer, who has expressed his support for an initiative to stream the drama in secondary schools across the country.
On Monday, Starmer welcomed the filmmakers to 10 Downing Street for a meeting focused on child protection and digital safety. His office later confirmed that the UK government supports Netflix’s plan to provide schools free access to the series, ensuring that as many teenagers as possible can watch and engage in discussions about its themes.
The Prime Minister shared a personal insight into watching the show with his 14-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son, admitting that it was not an easy experience.
“It seems like the whole nation is talking about Adolescence and not just this nation,” Starmer said. “As a dad, I have not found it easy to watch this with children, because it connects with the fears and worries that you have as parents and adults.”
The decision to integrate the show into schools aligns with Starmer’s ongoing efforts to address the growing influence of social media in shaping young minds. His office emphasized that streaming Adolescence in classrooms will help students better understand the impact of misogyny, the dangers of online radicalization, and the importance of healthy relationships.
While endorsing the initiative, Starmer acknowledged that addressing online misogyny and youth violence requires more than just policy changes.
“There isn’t one single policy lever to pull. It’s actually a much bigger problem than that,” he stated. “And that’s the devastating effect that the problem of misogyny has on our society.”
The UK government has been actively working on new digital safety laws, and integrating media like ‘Adolescence’ into education is seen as a step toward meaningful change.
The show’s co-writer, Jack Thorne, emphasized that Adolescence was designed to provoke conversations about social issues, especially those affecting teenagers today.
“So to have the opportunity to take this into schools is beyond our expectations,” he said. “We hope it’ll lead to teachers talking to the students, but what we really hope is it’ll lead to students talking amongst themselves.”
Actor Stephen Graham, a co-creator of the show who plays the father of the accused teenager, shared his perspective on how society often reacts to youth crime.
“When a knife crime among young people takes place, the first reaction may be to question the background of the murder suspect and how they were raised,” Graham said. “But what if it’s not the family? We’re all maybe accountable. School. Society. Parents. Community.”
Set in England, Adolescence follows the story of a 13-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing a girl in his school. The show delves into the complex influence of social media on young minds, particularly in ways that are often hidden from parents and teachers.
Since its release in March 2025, Netflix reports that ‘Adolescence’ has garnered 66.3 million views worldwide, making it one of the most talked-about UK series in recent history.
By streaming ‘Adolescence’ in schools, educators and students will have a unique opportunity to engage in discussions about online toxicity, gender-based violence, and the pressures faced by teenagers in the digital era.
As conversations around youth safety and digital responsibility continue to grow, this initiative marks a significant step toward educating young minds on the consequences of harmful online interactions.
