Has Anyone Asked Young People? The Risks of Sensationalising Adolescence in Schools

This blog was originally published on the University of Birmingham College of Social Sciences blog” - Kieran 

By Sophie King-Hill, PhD 

‘Adolescence’, a recent Netflix drama about a boy who stabs and murders a girl from school has been highlighted via many media channels for its powerful storytelling and also by the Prime Minister, who has backed a campaign to show the drama in schools. 

Whilst programmes like this can be useful, sensationalism and extreme examples can also be incredibly damaging. One of the first aspects of this series that is particularly striking is the title. As this is about extreme violence carried out by a boy against a girl it is useful to consider the implications of this. The title inextricably links ‘adolescence’ with extreme negative content.  

Whilst the writers may have been intending to highlight the complex landscapes young people have to negotiate, they may have also inadvertently have linked this period of a young person’s life to extreme negativity. Research indicates that it is important to listen to young people at this point in their lives as they are the experts in the online and offline worlds in which they live in today. Associating this with negativity and violence is only highlighting one part of this journey and risks compounding the perspectives within society that teenagers are inherently bad.  

Adolescents are not the problem; negative behaviours that may present within young people are a symptom of a much bigger cause within society and how young men and boys are viewed. 

If the storyline is then explored, it is extreme in both context and outcomes. Murders like this are rare, although not unheard of, such as the tragic story of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, who was murdered by a 17-year-old boy in 2023. This type of sensationalism in TV storylines may state that it is geared around raising awareness, however it may be doing more harm than good. This extreme act of violence, linked to online bullying, Incel grooming and the impact of the manosphere risks demonising boys as a gender to be feared.  

However, these issues form only part of a complex world that young men and boys are negotiating in society today. Programmes like this do highlight serious issues within society, that are not going away. This can be evidenced in the 2021 Ofsted report into sexual harassment in schools and the Everyone’s Invited website that has received over 50,000 testimonials of sexual harassment since its inception in 2020.  Figures show that harmful sexual behaviour among under-18s in the UK is increasing. It is evident this problem is not going away. Yet we have to question is this type of sensationalist, extreme story helpful? 

These programmes risk detracting from other issues that surround sexual harassment and harmful sexual behaviour carried out by boys against girls that do not appear as extreme. These issues need addressing in a safe environment where young people of all genders can explore the issues that surround them. One key factor that shuts down this vital and difficult conversation is blame. The issues of misogyny and violence against women and children carried out by men and boys are evident yet conversations and communication needs to happen – and a blame culture shuts this down. 

When considering Incel culture, society needs to take a step back and recognise that many of those that engage in this online discourse often talk about loneliness, depression, self-harm and suicide. There is an intersectionality of issues at play with many young men and boys being pushed down a rabbit hole by online algorithms when they are searching for support and answers.  

Whilst this programme has brought a vital discussion out into the open it also risks detracting from the support that young men and boys need – alongside that of other genders. Showing this in schools needs careful consideration. With adequate wrap around lessons, discussions and aftercare. This cannot just be shown to children and young people without this – to help them explore the issues that it raises. However, whilst work in schools around this may be useful to start important conversations it is not the solution to the complex and endemic issues that surround young men and boys. Another aspect to consider is that the cast are not incredibly ethnically diverse, and appear to be, in the main, heterosexual. This then begs the question whether showing this to all young people will have an impact if they cannot see themselves in the cast or relate to the issues on a personal level. 

To think this will solve issues, just by watching a programme, is at the very least naïve.   

One distinct voice that is missing from the current discussions about this programme is that of young people.  

How is it known that young people think that showing this in schools will be useful? What do they think about it?  

And what more can wider society do to support them in the complex online and offline worlds that they live in? 

It begs the question, has anybody thought to ask them?