In the Dutch town of Warnsveld, educators are addressing online bullying and misogyny among youth through classroom discussions inspired by the Netflix series "Adolescence." The show, which follows the story of a 13-year-old boy allegedly involved in a girl's death after encountering online misogynistic content, has sparked debate about the impact of such material on young viewers.

Gijs Korenblik, a social studies teacher at a local high school, has incorporated selected clips from the series into his lessons to prompt conversations about masculinity, gender roles, and experiences with bullying both online and offline. The initiative reflects a broader effort among educators in several countries to counteract harmful stereotypes and misogynistic messages prevalent on social media platforms.

“Adolescence” gained attention when former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer endorsed a campaign to screen the show in schools, encouraging several European governments, including Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, to consider developing educational resources based on the series. Meanwhile, England has introduced mandatory classroom instruction addressing online misogyny as of this month, with psychologists and researchers contributing to the creation of relevant curricula. However, these English programs do not specifically incorporate the Netflix series.

Experts emphasize that young people frequently encounter sexist stereotypes, including myths that women are less intelligent or that men cannot exhibit kindness, and suggest such beliefs are better challenged in a supervised educational setting rather than through viral internet content. The rise of the so-called manosphere—a loosely connected online community promoting particular masculinities, often laced with misogyny—has heightened concern among educators and psychologists. Figures like Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer known for advocating male dominance and facing legal charges in multiple countries, have become influential within these circles.

Research conducted on TikTok videos watched by young men found that about 6% contained themes associated with the manosphere, including disdain for women and minimizing sexual harm. A survey of nearly 500 Dutch education professionals revealed that more than half of high school respondents had noticed increased behaviors linked to manosphere influences over recent years, such as expressing sexist views or praising controversial figures like Tate. Similar patterns have been reported in countries like Australia, where some boys exhibit overtly misogynistic behavior in schools.

While some experts acknowledge that “Adolescence” has helped raise awareness and open dialogue about male emotions and online masculinity, others express caution. Critics argue that the series presents an extreme and narrow portrayal of boyhood, potentially leading some students to feel unfairly targeted or disengaged. Sophie King-Hill, a researcher focusing on youth sexual behavior, noted that using such a dramatic example might frame boys generally as threats, which could hinder constructive conversations.

Mr. Korenblik stressed that the series should serve merely as a starting point for discussion rather than a definitive teaching tool. In his classroom, students voice varied opinions on what defines a man, ranging from honoring one's promises to caring for family members. When confronted with rigid or exclusionary definitions—such as dismissing gay or gender-nonconforming individuals as “not real men”—the teacher refrains from judgment, opting instead to encourage empathy and open-mindedness.

Benjamin Smit, a 16-year-old student, described his exposure to manosphere content on platforms like TikTok as frequent but largely unpersuasive, characterizing influencers as “kind of losers.” His father, Marco Smit, expressed concern upon realizing the extent to which such content has infiltrated his son’s social media feed, although he trusts Benjamin’s ability to discern its seriousness.

Across Warnsveld and other communities, educators and experts continue to grapple with the challenge of equipping young people to critically navigate the complex and often harmful portrayals of masculinity they encounter online.