Is your child at risk? NSPCC shares advice following Netflix's Adolescence

Yahoo

01-04-2025

Netflix's show Adolescence has become one of the biggest shows on the streaming service since it was released in March.
Starring Stephen Graham, the four-part drama focused on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who kills a female schoolmate.
The Netflix show reveals that Jamie kills his classmate after being bullied online and radicalised by misogynist content created by influencers comparable to Andrew Tate.
Adolescence has become a huge talking point, with many praising the show for bringing awareness to how vulnerable children are to being exposed to radicalised content online.
NEW: From today we are making Adolescence available to all secondary schools across the UK through Into Film+. Additionally, healthy relationships charity Tender will produce guides and resources for teachers, parents and carers to help navigate conversations around the series.
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) March 31, 2025
Now, the NSPCC has shared details and advice to parents on the tell tale signs if your child is at risk.
Ella Bradshaw, a Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the NSPCC, told The Mirror that there is no "one size fits all approach".
Sharing that the most important thing is to know your child, so the signs are more obvious at the early stages.
Bradshaw explains: "There can be a lot of pressure on parents to feel that they need to know the signs and pick up on these things, but what Adolescence really shows is that sometimes it can be very subtle or not necessarily understandable."
The NSPCC Helpline staff are available to provide expert advice and support if you have any concerns about a child's safety and wellbeing 💚. Visit https://t.co/qAafkzkD6c for more information. pic.twitter.com/hOaP58eAis
— NSPCC (@NSPCC) March 31, 2025
The NSPCC boss added that one sign to look out for is how your child talks about female friends or family members, and their behaviour around technology.
If you spot that your child has become "more secretive" when using devices, it's important to keep an eye on them and ask what content they may be looking at.
As Bradshaw shares: "If you're being influenced internally by misogynistic content that's not always going to change you externally, and often children hide things that feel scary or different."
If you do spot signs in your child, there are a few ways to approach the topic safely for everyone.
Bradshaw tells The Mirror that the best way to approach children starts with the environment: "Choosing the environment is really important - choosing a time and space where the child is going to feel relaxed and open."
If you've watched #Adolescence from @netflixuk, this powerful series may have left you with difficult feelings and questions. Visit our website for advice on online safety, or for concerns our Helpline is available - call 0808 800 5000 or email [e-mail]. pic.twitter.com/YTtQW091O3
— NSPCC (@NSPCC) March 27, 2025
The NSPCC boss adds that you should avoid using "alarmist or accusatory language" and instead ask open questions that could allow the topic to be freely addressed.
You can find out more advice via the NSPCC.
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Bradshaw encourages parents and carers to have conversations about the internet early so children can have a good understanding of what is online.
Adding that it's better to discuss the online dangers before your child has access to the internet, sharing that safety settings on social media apps are also important.