Let us start here:
Stephen Graham, the acclaimed actor known for his powerful performances in shows like Top Boy and Line of Duty, has voiced his concerns about the growing prevalence of “misogynistic tendencies” in society. Speaking about his new limited series, Adolescence, Graham emphasised that everyone bears some responsibility in addressing this troubling trend.
The four-part drama, now streaming on Netflix, explores the impact of social media on children and the alarming accessibility of radicalised views online. Graham revealed that the inspiration for the series came from a deeply personal place. He recounted reading about two separate incidents where young girls were brutally stabbed to death by young boys in different parts of the country.
“That hurt my heart,” Graham admitted. “I just thought, why? Why does this kind of thing happen? What is this society? Why have we reached this point where this kind of thing is happening? What was the reason?”
While Adolescence doesn’t claim to provide answers, it holds a mirror up to society, prompting viewers to question how the rise of incel culture and misogynistic attitudes can be tackled. Graham believes that accountability lies across multiple levels of society.
“You look at it, and you see that we’re kind of all accountable to an extent,” he said. “There are failings within the school system; there are situations where the education system can look at this and look at what’s happened with that kind of rise in these misogynistic tendencies. The society as a whole can look at this; parents obviously can look at this, and the government, in many ways.”
What is Incel Culture?
The term “incel” derives from the phrase “involuntarily celibate.” At its core, it refers to individuals who feel unable to find a romantic partner despite desiring one. However, in recent years, a more radicalised subculture has emerged online. This group often harbours deep resentment towards women, blaming them for their perceived lack of romantic success. Influencers like Andrew Tate have been linked to this corner of the internet, where young boys are exposed to and radicalised by misogynistic ideologies.
Ashley Walters, Graham’s co-star in Adolescence, admitted that learning about the existence of such groups was a shock. “I’d seen bits of the Andrew Tate stuff kind of popping up online or whatever, but I never really delved into it. And for me, this was the first real experience,” he said.
Walters expressed concern about the world children are growing up in today, contrasting it with his own childhood. “When I was growing up, I was in a bubble. I didn’t have a clue what was going on in the States and other parts of the world. It was just kind of in my little area that I grew up in with my family… I wasn’t seeing Bentleys and designer clothes and all of this stuff. It’s like I was happy with what I had. And now you’re exposed to everything. It’s no wonder that kids mentally grow up quicker.”
The Importance of Open Conversations
Walters also highlighted the challenges young boys face in expressing their emotions. “It’s really important that we have these conversations and we make it normal to have discussions just like women and young girls do about feelings and whatever they’re going through,” he said.
As a strong advocate for men being vulnerable, Walters shared his own struggles with opening up. “It’s even difficult for me at times, so I can’t imagine how young men are at the moment… everything that’s going on around social media in their lives, how difficult it is for them to start this conversation.”
Calls for Government Action
Jack Thorne, co-creator and writer of Adolescence, echoed the need for societal and governmental intervention. He criticised the government for watering down a private members’ bill aimed at regulating social media, suggesting that fear of big tech companies was behind the decision.
“I think this government needs to do something,” Thorne said. “We need to be having conversations like Australia’s having conversations, whether they’re actually putting in legislation about restricting social media access. We need to be having those conversations in this country, and we’re not. And if we don’t have these conversations, it is going to get worse.”
Thorne, who spent extensive time researching the darker corners of the internet for the series, warned that the problem extends far beyond figures like Andrew Tate. “There’s much worse stuff out there. And it teaches kids a logic… that makes sense of the world for them in a really distorted and ugly way. And unless we look at that and talk about that, things are only going to get worse.”
Government Response
A government spokesperson responded to these concerns, stating: “We are committed to keeping young people safe online. Starting next week, Ofcom can begin enforcing the Online Safety Act’s illegal content duties, targeting the most harmful material. By summer, children will be protected from harmful content, and platforms must take steps to ensure age-appropriate experiences online.”
The spokesperson also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the evidence base on the impact of social media and smartphones on children’s wellbeing, promising to consider all options to improve online safety.
A Call to Action
Adolescence is more than just a drama; it’s a call to action. Through its exploration of the dangers posed by social media and the rise of toxic ideologies, the series urges society to confront these issues head-on. As Graham, Walters, and Thorne have emphasised, the responsibility lies with all of us, parents, educators, policymakers, and individuals, to ensure that the next generation grows up in a safer, more compassionate world.
Adolescence is available to stream on Netflix now.
