Netflix's powerful incel drama Adolescence to be shown in schools
31 March 2025, 13:00 | Updated: 31 March 2025, 15:24
Netflix's hit show Adolescence is to be shown in secondary schools, the government has confirmed.
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The gripping four-part series has been praised for its gritty portrayal of the impact of controversial male influencers such as Andrew Tate on the behaviour of boys and young men.
Today, the Prime Minister held a roundtable meeting with writers and producers of the show, which he described as "groundbreaking".
He confirmed it will be made available to all secondary schools across the UK through Into Film+, with the healthy relationships charity Tender providing guidance and resources for teachers, parents and carers.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you - it hit home hard.
“It’s an important initiative to encourage as many pupils as possible to watch the show.
"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 if we are to properly support them in navigating contemporary challenges, and deal with malign influences.
“This isn’t a challenge politicians can simply legislate for. Believe me, if I could pull a lever to solve it, I would.
"Only by listening and learning from the experiences of young people and charities can we tackle the issues this groundbreaking show raises.”
NEW: From today we are making Adolescence available to all secondary schools across the UK through Into Film+.
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) March 31, 2025
Additionally, healthy relationships charity Tender will produce guides and resources for teachers, parents and carers to help navigate conversations around the series.
'Growing crisis'
Jack Thorne, Adolescence Co-Writer, said: “We made this show to provoke a conversation.
"We wanted to pose the question - how do we help stop this growing crisis. 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 amongst themselves.”
'Vital conversation'
Susie McDonald MBE, CEO of Tender, said: “Adolescence might be fiction, but it tells a very real story.
"As specialists in relationships education, Tender is committed to supporting schools, young people and parents/carers with the resources to continue this vital conversation.
"Together, we can help build a more positive, safe future for the next generation.”
Last week the head of the schools watchdog Ofsted said smartphones should be banned in schools in England.
Last year, under the former Conservative government, schools in England were given non-statutory guidance intended to stop the use of mobile phones during the school day.
