Stephen Graham’s Warning to Parents About Netflix’s Adolescence

Stephen Graham, known for his role in Netflix’s one-shot drama series Adolescence, recently issued a warning to parents about the dangers of the internet. The show explores the story of a 13-year-old boy accused of a brutal murder, with Graham portraying the boy’s father, Eddie.

Inspired by real-life news reports of stabbings involving young girls, Graham delves into complex topics like incel culture, misogyny, and the online “manosphere” in the series. He emphasizes the importance of parents being mindful of external influences shaping their children’s perspectives, noting that societal factors can have both positive and negative effects on young individuals.

Graham wanted to highlight how young boys from seemingly ordinary backgrounds can be influenced by a variety of factors. He stresses that the show raises questions about accountability and the impact of family dynamics, schooling, society, and the broader community on young individuals.

Addressing the shift in how young people interact with the world today, Graham points out how technology has made information readily available at their fingertips, blurring the lines between the home environment and the outside world.

While the series does not directly address incel culture or specific individuals like Andrew Tate, writer Jack Thorne intentionally focuses on the broader societal influences that contribute to “male rage.” By exploring the complexity of these influences, Adolescence aims to shed light on the multifaceted nature of young people’s experiences in today’s world.