Netflix’s Adolescence hits home hard, says British PM; drama to be aired in schools

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 31 met the creators of Adolescence – the Netflix drama about a boy charged with the killing of a female classmate – which has sparked a national conversation about the impact of social media on teenagers.

The four-part show explores how the ideas of online influencers,

such as self-described misogynist Andrew Tate, can shape the views of children hooked on smartphones and drive them to violence.

Mr Starmer said he backed Netflix’s decision to make the ground-breaking series available to watch for free in schools across the country.

“As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you – it hit home hard,” he said in a statement after meeting Adolescence co-writer Jack Thorne, charities and young people at his Downing Street office.

“As I see from my own children, openly talking about changes in how they communicate, the content they’re seeing, and exploring the conversations they’re having with their peers is vital.”

The immersive drama, whose episodes were shot in a single continuous take, made British television history in March by becoming the first streaming show to top TV viewership charts.

Nearly 6.5 million people watched its first episode and 5.9 million its second in the week of March 10 to 16, data from TV ratings compiler Barb showed.

Mr Thorne, who has said children should not be given smartphones until they turn 14, called the impact of toxic masculinity and

so-called “incel” culture,

which can drive hatred towards women and girls, a growing crisis.

“We made this show to provoke a conversation,” he said in a statement. “So, to have the opportunity to take this into schools is beyond our expectations. We hope it’ll lead to teachers talking to the students, but what we really hope is it’ll lead to students talking among themselves.” REUTERS