From the police to the prime minister: how Adolescence is making Britain face up to toxic masculinity

Article here. Excerpt:

'Thorne has called for the introduction of a “digital age of consent” by banning smartphones for under-16s. Pundits have suggested that social media giants should do more to regulate algorithm-driven extreme content. A recent survey came to the depressing conclusion that more than half of young women are now frightened of their male peers.

The debate was further fuelled by former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate delivering a televised lecture this week, warning about the dangers of “callous, manipulative and toxic influencers” and demanding better male role models. His pleas were echoed by feminist writer Caitlin Moran, author of What About Men?, on Channel 4 News. She said toxic masculinity was “very joyless and very depressing”, expressing the hope that Southgate’s speech and Adolescence would be a watershed moment.

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: “Netflix’s brilliant Adolescence is not just a drama. It’s a disturbing glimpse into the minds of thousands of young boys warped by the violence and abuse they are witnessing every day online.”'