Starmer supports teaching Netflix's "Adolescence" in schools

Sir Keir Starmer has publicly supported the Netflix drama "Adolescence," which tells the story of a 13-year-old boy arrested for murdering a teenage girl. The show highlights issues like incel culture and the impact of online violence, drawing attention to concerns about harmful social media content aimed at teens. Starmer mentioned that he is watching the series with his family and agrees with calls for it to be shown in parliament and schools. He said the show addresses the real problem of young men committing violence influenced by online content. Around 25 Labour MPs are advocating for tougher online safety measures and plan to meet next week. They are pushing the government to take stronger actions after a proposal to raise the social media consent age from 13 to 16 was weakened. The show's co-writer, Jack Thorne, criticized the government for its reluctance to challenge large tech companies. MP Johnathan Brash emphasized the show's power and suggested that elements of it could be introduced in primary schools to help children understand online dangers. He intends to discuss this with the Department for Education. Sky News reported that teenagers frequently encounter disturbing content on social media, prompting calls for additional protections. Sir Keir’s spokesperson called "Adolescence" a strong program that exposes the dangers of misogyny and violence fueled by online influences. The upcoming Online Safety Act aims to protect young people from illegal and harmful content but may require further measures to limit the time children spend on phones. The government has resisted calls to ban smartphones in schools, stating that teachers already have the authority to do so.