Why Adolescence Misguides?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has recently backed the introduction of Adolescence in British schools. I think this is a huge mistake. While the series does spark important conversations about the harmful effects of social media and the dangers of neglectful parenting—issues that are undeniably relevant—it misses the mark in a number of critical areas. Here’s why showing Adolescence to high school students will likely do more harm than good.

1. Adolescence Gets the Diagnosis Wrong

a. It Downplays the Impact of Pornography
The show barely touches on the massive influence pornography has on young people’s thinking and behaviour. In Adolescence, it’s mentioned briefly in Episode 3, with the throwaway line, “pfft – everyone looks at it.” But the reality is that pornography use is rampant among teens, with 70-80% of 15-year-old boys and 20-30% of girls engaging regularly. Modern porn is aggressive, often degrading to women, and entirely lacking in any respect or mutual pleasure. It’s neurochemically addictive, rewiring the brain through the highly dopaminergic process of masturbation. The impact on young people is real, and it’s contributing to the sexualised behaviour we see in schools. Rates of sexual harassment are up, as evidenced by the recent SHOT report from Collective Shout in partnership with author and parenting expert Maggie Dent, which uncovered the extent of unwanted sexual comments, physical touching, unsolicited sexting, and even AI-generated porn being directed at students and teachers. Adolescence doesn’t address this underlying issue, and that’s a big problem.

b. Andrew Tate Is No Longer Relevant to Today’s Teens
Mention Andrew Tate to junior high school students these days, and you’ll mostly get blank stares. Among seniors, the response is often a dismissive “Sigma,” followed by a laugh (this is an insult, not admiration). Just a few years ago, Tate was seen as a hero by many boys, but his popularity has tanked. Today, most students are aware of his shady dealings, including his Ponzi scheme with Hustler University. They see him for what he really is—a manipulative figure who exploited women for personal gain. Adolescence is focusing on an influencer whose time has passed. I'm not saying parasites like Tate have not been damaging, nor are completely benign, but in comparison to porn they are not the biggest threat. Today’s youth are much more concerned with issues that are more immediate and relevant to them, and the show is out of step with that reality.

c. The Show’s Depiction of Jamie Is Unrealistic
The character at the centre of Adolescence, Jamie, is portrayed as a troubled teenager with psychological issues that are left largely unexplained. While the show hints at childhood trauma, it doesn’t give enough detail to understand his behaviour. His parents love him, and there’s no indication of abuse or neglect in his background. This makes Jamie’s descent into violence feel unrealistic. For many parents and educators, this portrayal may be confusing, leading them to misunderstand the complexities of adolescent behaviour.

d. The Show Misrepresents the Path to Serious Crime
Serious offenders don’t just emerge out of nowhere. As criminologists and adolescent psychologists will tell you, criminal behaviour usually escalates incrementally. The portrayal of Jamie’s sudden violent outburst in Adolescence oversimplifies the issue, suggesting that social media and pornography can directly lead to violence. This is a dangerous oversimplification. Most adolescents watching the show will not see themselves in Jamie’s story, making it unlikely that they’ll take away any meaningful lessons from it.

e. The Show Misrepresents the Plight of Girls
Katie’s murder is ultimately portrayed as a consequence of her rejecting a boy’s advances. However, if her apparent disdain for Jamie stems from his attempt to manipulate her affections after the humiliating exposure of her sexts, then this issue deserves a far more nuanced and realistic exploration. In my work with female students, I hear first-hand accounts of the harassment and abuse they face. Studies show that up to 60% of female students experience unwanted sexual harassment, and my good friend Melinda Tankard Reist has engaged with thousands of testimonies detailing the extent of sexual harassment in schools. The way Adolescence handles Katie’s story doesn’t reflect the reality of what many girls go through.

Katie is depicted as an unremarkable, low-profile girl, and Jamie’s attempts at manipulation toward her aren’t overt. In fact, for her to perceive him as manipulative, she would have had to read between the lines. Her decision to publicly humiliate Jamie online, presumably in front of the school peers—when most students wouldn’t even know who either of them are—feels far-fetched and unrealistic. The narrative choice to make Katie appear aggressive in their final confrontation only serves to misrepresent the experience of real victims of sexual harassment.

Young female viewers may relate to Katie’s humiliation and the reputational damage she suffers, and many may have experienced similar forms of coercive control. However, they won’t recognise themselves in Katie’s over-the-top response. Nor do I believe the show provides any meaningful guidance for girls on how to discern toxic behaviours in boys or how to respond to sexual harassment and abuse. Adolescence misses the mark in offering real, practical support to girls navigating these difficult and often painful realities.

f. It Misses the Mark on Parenting in the Digital Age
Research shows that children do better when their parents restrict access to harmful media and technology while also engaging with them in open, empathetic discussions. Adolescence gets one thing right: neglecting a child’s online world is harmful. However, it fails to fully appreciate the positive effects of engaged parenting. Jamie’s parents, despite their occasional flaws, clearly have a strong relationship with him. When things go wrong, Jamie turns to his father, suggesting that their bond is solid. The show doesn’t acknowledge that parents who are actively involved in their children’s lives are far less likely to see their kids spiral into violence. In fact, the chances of a child developing homicidal tendencies in a supportive environment like Jamie’s are extremely low. This kind of portrayal could undermine the efforts of good parents who are working hard to guide their children in today’s digital world.

2. Adolescence Will Drive Boys Further Away from the Guidance They Need

Most boys already feel like they’re being blamed for everything. They are labelled as misogynists, toxic, and “never good enough.” I speak with thousands of boys each year, and they often express frustration with how they’re viewed. While I don’t condone harmful behaviours, Adolescence will only add fuel to the fire by reinforcing the narrative that boys are inherently flawed. This show will further isolate them from good educators and role models, driving them toward toxic influencers like Andrew Tate, who exploit their feelings of inadequacy. Tate is a master manipulator, telling boys what they want to hear—letting them feel like they’re not worthless, if only for a brief moment. Instead of reinforcing this negative narrative, we should be promoting a healthier, more positive view of masculinity.

3. Adolescence Ignores the Root Cause of Toxic School Culture

While Adolescence highlights some serious issues in schools, it fails to acknowledge the underlying cause: a lack of effective leadership. I’ve been to schools where the culture is toxic, where disrespect between students and teachers is rampant. This isn’t just a byproduct of social media or pornography—it’s a failure of school leadership to foster a respectful, safe learning environment. By showing a series that highlights these failures without offering any solutions, we’re only exacerbating the problem. What are students supposed to do with this information? Instead of just pointing fingers, schools need to focus on rebuilding a culture of respect and accountability, starting with strong leadership.

Conclusion

While Adolescence has its merits and brings important issues into the spotlight, it’s not the right tool for helping high school students navigate the challenges of online content and building respectful relationships. If we want to truly support young people, particularly boys, in understanding these issues, we need to approach them differently.

Here’s what we should be doing:

• Engage with boys on their level: Listen to their concerns and help them understand how harmful online influences, especially pornography, can be.

• Promote positive masculinity: We need to paint a picture of masculinity that’s based on character, humility, kindness, and service to others—not the selfish, aggressive depictions found online.

• Encourage empathy: Give all young people opportunities to practice empathy and connect with positive role models.

• Support parents: Equip parents with the tools to engage with their children’s online lives and foster healthy relationships.

By taking this approach, we can create real change. Boys who are nurtured in this way can become pillars of their communities—safe, proud, and respectful. I’ve seen it happen.

Let’s focus on better education, empowering parents, and helping young people critically engage with the world around them. This approach works—it's the approach my PhD research has proven effective. If you know any schools serious about improving their culture and supporting struggling students, send them my way, or check out digihelp.io.