Netflix¡¯s Adolescence is taking over UK schools to tackle knife crime and toxic masculinity

Brace yourself, because Netflix¡¯s Adolescence is about to land in UK classrooms, and it is going to hit harder than a plot twist in any of your favourite crime thriller. The British government has officially backed an initiative to bring this smash-hit series into high schools nationwide, and let us be real¡ªstudents are not just about to watch this show, they are about to feel it.

Netflix¡¯s Adolescence is taking over UK schools to tackle crime | Credit: X

Netflix¡¯s Adolescence is taking over UK schools and no one is ready for the impact

In case you have been living under a rock, Adolescence is the four-part Netflix drama that has had everyone clutching their pearls. The show dives deep into the gut-wrenching reality of modern teenage life, centring on a seemingly average 13-year-old boy whose arrest for murder sends shockwaves through his family. But this is not just another crime drama¡ªit is a mirror reflecting the gritty, unfiltered world young people navigate today.

Netflix¡¯s Adolescence is taking over UK schools to tackle crime | Credit: X

More than just a show¡ªIt is a conversation starter

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who apparently watched the series with his own teenage kids (talk about an intense family movie night), said that Adolescence is exactly the kind of conversation-starter schools need. He stressed that tackling the real dangers teens face¡ªfrom online manipulation to real-world violence¡ªis not just about legislation, but about listening, learning, and actually talking about the tough stuff.

Netflix¡¯s Adolescence is taking over UK schools to tackle crime | Credit: X

Netflix is teaming up with the Into Film+ streaming service to ensure the series is easily accessible in classrooms, while healthy relationships charity Tender will provide much-needed educational resources for teachers and parents.

Adolescence, the show that is smashing records

Adolescence has already made history. Not only has it topped Netflix charts in 80 countries, but it also became the first streaming show ever to dominate UK TV ratings. With a jaw-dropping 66.3 million views in just two weeks, it is safe to say this series is not just popular¡ªit is a phenomenon.

Co-creator Jack Thorne admitted he never expected the show to go this far, but he is thrilled that it is now making its way into schools. His biggest hope? That it does not just spark conversations between students and teachers, but among the students themselves. Because let us face it¡ªreal change happens in those raw, unfiltered chats in hallways, lunchrooms, and group chats.

Watch the trailer of Adolescence here:

Is this show a necessary reality check for Gen Zs?

At a time when teenage life is more complicated (and terrifying) than ever, Adolescence is not just entertainment¡ªit is education. Whether it makes students rethink their own choices, their friendships, or the way they see the world, one thing is for sure: this show is about to shake up UK classrooms like never before.

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