We’re supporting schools to consider the difficult questions arising from calls to show Netflix’s Adolescence to students
On 13 March 2025, the mini-series Adolescence premiered on Netflix. It quickly became the first programme from a streaming platform to top the weekly audience charts in the UK. The series stormed into the nation’s collective consciousness, highlighting issues around misogyny, incel culture, and their impact on teenage boys.
On 31 March, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with the show’s creators and later welcomed news from Netflix that they would make Adolescence available to all UK schools, with support from Tender, a healthy relationships charity. Tender will produce guides and resources for schools that will be available on 1 May.
This proposal has received a mixed response. While some schools have already shown the first episode, many others have asked for more time to consider the complex and sensitive issues raised. Victim Focus, a charity ‘dedicated to improving the treatment and portrayal of victims of abuse and trauma’, wrote an open letter about the harm this could cause, signed by 1200 people. Other respected leaders and academics have voiced similar concerns, such as Dr Sophie King-Hill and Dr Emily Setty.
Schools are contacting us for help
For three years, we’ve been working in schools to explore the best ways to prevent harmful sexual behaviour. Since Adolescence hit our screens, several school safeguarding leads have sought guidance from us on whether to show Adolescence.
Some questions we are hearing from teachers, students and parents include:
- Logistically, how can we create space in an already crowded Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum to screen four hours of programmes and facilitate meaningful follow-up conversations?
- With an age rating of 15, Adolescence is only age-appropriate for Year 11 students who are about to start their GCSE exams. Is sharing the show with them at this time in their educational career feasible or desirable?
- Might the ‘heat’ around Adolescence inadvertently push more young people towards seeking out information on ‘incel’ culture and the ‘manosphere’?
- Do we risk placing the burden of solving this issue on the shoulders of young people instead of where it belongs – with adults?
- Whilst many social issues are framed as a responsibility for schools to address, what evidence do we have that schools are the safest place to have such difficult and sensitive conversations?
- Do we risk retraumatising those young people with experience of these issues, or creating trauma for those without? Who will support students and teachers who are personally affected by these issues?
- Where are the voices of young people? Have we asked for their opinion or experience?
- What messages might young people receive from watching this? Boys are the problem? Boys have the power? Boys are to be feared? Boys should be appeased in romantic situations? The potential impact of these messages must be considered for both boys and girls.
- Where is the consultation with parents to ascertain their views?
- Where do parents go for information and support?
Our recommendations
Adolescence is undoubtedly an excellent drama provoking many important conversations.
As it stands, we should not use Adolescence in schools as a teaching resource on masculinity and other complex social issues.
Our research shows that how we frame conversations about masculinity is crucial. We can do more harm than good if we focus solely on ‘toxic masculinity’. We need to balance these conversations by highlighting positive traits shared by all genders, such as respect, empathy and compassion.
Contact schools@lucyfaithfull.org.uk for more information on our training. You can also contact our Stop It Now helpline to request a school callback for advice and support.
There are specialists in this field whose work on masculinity has been tried and tested over many years. Schools should visit Men At Work for training, the NSPCC’s Talk Relationships for resources, and CEOP Education’s Ask the Awkward for information for parents.
We are grateful to the creators of Adolescence for generating conversations that will hopefully prompt wider availability of evidence-based, trauma-informed resources for schools with accompanying training and support.
Spread the word
Share our mission, advocate for prevention, and challenge outdated narratives.
