“Adolescence’s Jamie at a Desk” – How Netflix’s Hit Show is Making a Positive Impact in Schools Across the UK
In a world where young boys are being radicalised by online alt-right groups, it’s important to have informational and thought-provoking shows that address this issue. That’s exactly what Netflix’s controversial show, “Adolescence”, aims to do. After receiving backing from high-profile figures like Keir Starmer, the streaming giant has now announced that the show will be made available to all secondary schools across the UK through Into Film+. This move has been welcomed by many, including healthy relationships charity Tender, who will be providing valuable resources for teachers, parents and carers to facilitate important conversations around the series.
“Adolescence” follows the story of a young boy who has been groomed and radicalised by alt-right groups online. With its raw and powerful depiction of the impact of online radicalisation on vulnerable young minds, the show has received critical acclaim. However, it has also faced backlash for its controversial subject matter. Despite this, Netflix has remained committed to bringing this important story to a wider audience, especially in schools where it can make a significant impact.
Tender, a UK charity that works to promote healthy relationships among young people, has been a vocal supporter of “Adolescence” since its inception. The charity’s CEO, Fiona Evans, has expressed her pride in partnering with Netflix to make the show freely available for teachers to use in secondary schools through Into Film+. She believes that this collaboration will encourage important conversations among teachers, students and parents, and help raise awareness about issues of domestic abuse, sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Into Film+, which is the country’s leading charity for film in education, has also been a key player in the partnership with Netflix. CEO Fiona Evans hopes that schools will utilize the show in various ways to further the important discussions that “Adolescence” has already initiated in homes across the UK.
The show’s guide for teachers is readily available on Tender’s website, and the Into Film+ version of the four-part show can be accessed for free with a PVS (Public Video Screening) Licence from Filmbankmedia. This licence is automatically provided to all state schools, making it easily accessible for teachers to use in the classroom.
Writer Jack Thorne, who co-created “Adolescence” with Stephen Graham, has been a strong advocate for the show to be shown in parliament and in schools. In an interview with BBC News, Thorne expressed the urgency of addressing the issue of online radicalisation, stating that “it’s crucial because this is only going to get worse”. He believes that drama can be a powerful tool for sparking important conversations and raising awareness about this important issue.
Keir Starmer, a well-known British politician and former Director of Public Prosecutions, has also voiced his support for “Adolescence”. In an interview, he praised the show for its realistic depiction of the impact of online radicalisation on young minds. He also emphasized the need to tackle this issue, stating that “this violence carried out by young men, influenced by what they see online, is a real problem and we have to tackle it”.
With its powerful message and thought-provoking storyline, “Adolescence” has become a must-watch for people of all ages. By making the show accessible to secondary schools through Into Film+, Netflix has taken a significant step towards creating awareness and sparking important conversations about the impact of online radicalisation on vulnerable young minds. Let’s hope that this move will inspire other streaming platforms to follow suit and use their platform for the greater good of society.
