Following Netflix’s announcement on 7th April 2025 that its critically acclaimed series Adolescence will be made available free to all UK secondary schools, a prominent family psychotherapist has voiced significant concerns. Fiona Yassin, founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, cautions that while the series offers valuable insights into the challenges of growing up in the digital age, its introduction into classrooms must be handled with care to avoid potential pitfalls.

Adolescence, which explores the pressures young people face in today’s hyper-connected world, has garnered praise for shedding light on the rise of the “manosphere” – a digital subculture that, among other issues, promotes online violence towards women and girls. The series has been lauded for its unflinching portrayal of these societal shifts, prompting Netflix to offer it as an educational resource. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the move, calling it a step towards fostering important discussions among students.

However, Yassin argues that the decision feels more like a knee-jerk reaction than a well-thought-out strategy. “Showing Adolescence to secondary school children could be riddled with problems if not handled well,” she said. She worries that without a clear framework, the initiative might place undue burden on students to process complex themes independently, rather than addressing the broader influences shaping their lives.

“By showing this series to all children, we risk placing responsibility and accountability on the children themselves, rather than recognising the wider influences of family, relationships, and societal structures,” Yassin explained. “The show itself heavily emphasises these relational aspects, but the series may be introduced into schools in a way that does not appear to reflect that.”

Yassin highlighted the diversity of experiences among students as a key concern. “Every child is unique. They bring their own personal experiences, histories, and emotional states into the viewing experience,” she noted. “Using a blanket approach risks overlooking the individual needs of students, many of whom may have dealt, or are currently dealing with, trauma or adverse childhood experiences.”

Teachers, too, face challenges in this scenario. Yassin pointed out that while educators play a vital role in supporting students, they are not equipped to handle the psychological complexities the series might unearth. “Teachers already do an incredible job nurturing students, but they are not trained mental health professionals. For all caregivers, this conversation is one that requires psychoeducation, social skills, and the courage to challenge harmful beliefs,” she said. “We don’t know what’s unfolding in the lives of the young people in our classrooms. Who will be responsible for helping them process this content in a meaningful, supportive way?”

Yassin is calling for greater clarity on the initiative’s purpose. “Is the goal to educate, to spark conversations, to process trauma, or to shift societal norms? Without a defined purpose, we risk creating a shockwave across a wide age-range of children, without a support system in place,” she said. She advocates for a holistic approach, suggesting schools involve parents through workshops. “If we truly want to counteract the resurgence of misogynistic culture and address issues like knife crime and online violence, we must involve parents in these conversations too. We cannot underestimate the influence that parents and carers have on their children,” she added.

How should schools proceed? Yassin offered practical recommendations for implementation.

• Focus on skills. Schools should teach active listening, reflective practice, and critical thinking to help students process the content meaningfully.
• Support systems. Trained professionals should be available to guide discussions and address emotional reactions.
• Parental involvement. Workshops could equip parents to reinforce these lessons at home.

Yassin welcomes the intent behind using Adolescence to tackle pressing social issues but stresses the need for robust support structures. “Adolescence is a powerful tool for discussion, but without careful and considered handling, there is a risk of doing more harm than good,” she concluded. As schools prepare to roll out the series, her words serve as a timely reminder of the stakes involved.