Stephen Graham, star of the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Adolescence,” has issued a vital warning to parents about the unseen dangers their children face online. The series, in which Graham portrays Eddie Miller—a father whose 13-year-old son, Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), is arrested for the brutal murder of a female classmate—delves deep into pressing issues such as ‘incel’ culture, misogyny, and the influence of the online ‘manosphere’ on today’s youth.
Graham was profoundly moved by real-life incidents involving young boys committing violent acts against girls. He recounted, “I read an article about a young boy stabbing a young girl. And then maybe a couple of months later, on the news there was [another] young boy who’d stabbed a young girl, and if I’m really honest with you, they hurt my heart.” This emotional response motivated him to explore the external pressures and influences that children encounter, often unbeknownst to their parents.
Emphasizing the multifaceted nature of child upbringing, Graham stated, “It’s just being mindful of the fact that not only we parent our children, and not only the school educates our children. But also there’s influences that we have no idea of that are having profound effects on our young culture, profound effects, positive and extremely negative. So it’s having a look at that and seeing that we’re all accountable.” He underscores that these issues can permeate any family, regardless of their background or household dynamics.
In crafting the narrative of “Adolescence,” Graham and co-writer Jack Thorne deliberately chose not to single out specific controversial online figures like Andrew Tate. Instead, they aimed to highlight the complex and often more perilous array of influences shaping today’s youth. Graham noted, “The kids aren’t watching Andrew Tate. They’re watching a lot more dangerous stuff than Andrew Tate. We were trying to present a portrait of complexity of this kid that had been made by all sorts of different influences and the thing about incel culture is there’s a logic to it.”
“Adolescence” has garnered immense praise, achieving a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its unflinching portrayal of real-world issues. The series has also illuminated the coded language and slang that young people use online, prompting UK police to release a guide to help adults better understand these terms.
The series serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in the digital age. It underscores the importance of parental vigilance and open communication to safeguard children from harmful online influences. As Graham aptly puts it, accountability is a collective responsibility encompassing family, schools, society, community, and the broader environment.
