Lessons from ‘Adolescence’: How parents, guardians and educators can combat the rise in online misogyny and build a stronger consent culture

Updated Sep 16, 2025

Cover The hit show ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix explores the ‘manosphere’ and how it promotes harmful ideologies like toxic masculinity and misogyny to children (photo: Netflix)

The hit show ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix explores the ‘manosphere’ and how it promotes harmful ideologies like toxic masculinity and misogyny to children (photo: Netflix)

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Owen Cooper just won the Best Actor at Emmys 2025 for Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’, in which he plays a young boy who falls prey to toxic masculinity ideologies on the internet. Inclusive intimacy educator Mary Foxworth shares how to equip boys with the tools to build respectful relationships and a strong consent culture

In a world increasingly influenced by toxic masculinity, one question resonates with young boys: “What does it mean to be a man?” An adolescent boy recently asked me this very question during our private session. He is one of many boys around the world searching for answers to understand their masculine identity.

It’s a topic that is explored in the Netflix series Adolescence, which was viewed over 66 million times in the first two weeks since its release in March, making it the most-watched limited series ever on the platform. It also scooped up six trophies at Emmys 2025, including best actor for Owen Cooper, who plays a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller in the series.

Miller is arrested for the murder of a girl at his school. Whilst investigating Jamie’s motives for murder, it becomes apparent that he has been exposed to the “manosphere”—a collection of online platforms and communities that promote misogyny, toxic masculinity and other harmful ideologies and subcultures.

Although fictional and created in the UK, Adolescence raises awareness of real-world scenarios where young boys are being influenced by the manosphere, with toxic messaging led by figures such as self-described misogynist influencer Andrew Tate, who faces serious allegations including rape and human trafficking. What makes figures like Tate so dangerous is that they intertwine health and wellness messages with misogynistic narratives, creating confusion for young boys seeking to make well-intentioned improvements to their masculine identity and relationships. Simultaneously, they are exposed to toxic messages that erode their perception of women's value in society. Once relegated to the dark web, these networks promoting hate and violence against women are now widely accessible online, freely spreading extreme ideologies, misinformation and hateful and derogatory views of women.

Once relegated to the dark web, these networks promoting hate and violence against women are now widely accessible online, freely spreading extreme ideologies, misinformation and hateful and derogatory views of women.

- Mary Foxworth -

Adolescence has tapped into a global anxiety shared by parents, guardians and educators who are now forced to reckon with the reality that children and adolescents are accessing and possibly adopting toxic messages. Now more than ever, we need comprehensive education on consent, respect and healthy relationships to help combat the rise in online misogyny—and there is a lot of work to do.

According to a 2022 report from the Equal Opportunities Commission of Hong Kong, 60 per cent of local secondary schools do not teach informed consent. This alarming statistic is made even more concerning by the fact that in 2021, approximately 1 in 4 students had been sexually harassed on Hong Kong university campuses. This fundamental knowledge gap creates a void, leaving adolescents to seek answers online, making many vulnerable to misinformation and the influence of misogynist figures who often promote unhealthy and manipulative views of relationships.

Above ‘Adolescence’ forces adults to reckon with the reality that children and adolescents are accessing and possibly adopting toxic messages (photo: Netflix)

‘Adolescence’ forces adults to reckon with the reality that children and adolescents are accessing and possibly adopting toxic messages (photo: Netflix)

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As an inclusive intimacy educator and founder of Foxworth Institute, I am dedicated to addressing this knowledge gap by providing consent and relationship education to students and educators in schools, and by supporting parents and guardians with much needed guidance. When working with students, I aim to create a safe space without judgment so that they feel comfortable asking me honest questions. This is important to prevent them from seeking answers from misleading sources.

From this experience, I have found that students are extremely curious, often asking scenario-based questions on dating, sex and relationships. This curiosity underscores their appetite for comprehensive education to navigate consent, respect and relationships. Without this education, we hinder students' personal development and compromise the safety of individuals and our communities. This education and these important conversations were notably absent in the school depicted in Adolescence.

Creating a supportive environment for young people to discuss sensitive topics is crucial. Here are some recommendations to help parents, guardians and educators navigate these important conversations:

Create a safe space for open communication. Allow young people to ask questions without feeling ashamed or judged for their honesty. It takes bravery to raise intimacy and relationship questions or share experiences of exposure to inappropriate content, such as violent pornography.
Take the lead in initiating these conversations. This demonstrates that the door is always open for dialogue, even if young people don’t engage immediately.
Be honest and direct. This is particularly important for adolescents on the autism spectrum, who may find it challenging to interpret sexual euphemisms or metaphors.
Avoid making assumptions about sexual identities. Students are increasingly accepting of diverse sexual identities and experiences so it’s important to avoid making assumptions and to respect their choices.

Don’t miss: Raising the next generation: How Hong Kong parents are cultivating respectful sons

In addition, specifically for parents and guardians, I recommend that you consider the following:

Limit screen time and keep phones, laptops and other devices connected to the internet out of the bedroom at night.
Monitor internet use, track history and block certain sites—but be transparent about this to maintain trust.

By engaging in these conversations and fostering a supportive environment, we can help young people navigate their identities, safeguard them from the harmful influences of the manosphere, and build a stronger culture of consent and healthy relationships together.

Above (Photo: courtesy of Mary Foxworth)

(Photo: courtesy of Mary Foxworth)

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Mary Foxworth is an inclusive intimacy educator and founder of Foxworth Institute. She is on a mission to address the knowledge gaps in sexual health and wellness education and empower diverse people to experience deeper connections through inclusive intimacy and relationship education. She is a Front & Female Awards Hong Kong 2024 nominee.

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