SHOWING Adolescence in under-funded schools with under-resourced teachers "is not smart" or "safe", a leading equality campaigner has warned.
The warning follows a roundtable discussion convened by the Prime Minister, Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, and producers Emma Feller and Jo Johnson, where it was announced the hit Netflix show would be made available to all secondary schools in the UK.
The drama exploring so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture has prompted a national conversation about misogyny and online safety.
Gina Martin, who campaigned to make upskirting illegal in Britain and Wales in 2019 and is now an ambassador for UN Women UK and Beyond Equality, took to social media after the announcement was made.
Martin listed out reasons as to why the move "is not smart", pointing to a scene in the second episode which highlights children being shown videos and films in place of lessons.
"Our solutions have to be as strategic, creative and funded as the bad actors targeting our kids," Martin wrote.
"And wasn't there literally a scene in Adolescence that showed schools showing videos to kids in place of planned, meaningful education?"
Martin also highlighted the lack of support for children exploring topics in the show and said it "isn't safe".
She added: "Kids who've dealt with violence, victim blaming, nude photo sharing, misogyny are going to watch Adolescence in schools. And they're going to be feeling it.
"This is visceral TV that will bring up so much in our classrooms and leave underfunded, under-resourced teachers and schools to deal with it. That isn't safe.
"We're talking: angry, scared and activated girls; boys who are defensive; boys who feel they are seen as the problem; students who are activated by violence and misogyny; victim blaming between kids; gender diverse kids who aren't included in the reality even though they experience violence at a higher rate ... and way more."
A graphic Martin shared stated: "It will surface feelings of anger and fear in young women without a container for it.
"Young women are living on the receiving end of what this show viscerally explores (not just the violence the Jamie perpetrates but all the misogyny that led to it).
"They rarely have spaces to be honest about it and express their justified anger, fear or sadness safely, This show could surface all of that in schools without appropriate and comprehensive containment."
Martin did credit Tender – a nationwide charity harnessing drama and the arts to educate children about healthy relationships – which will produce guides and resources to be available through the Film+ streaming service alongside the Netflix show.
