Movember responds to free school access for Adolescence TV show

This morning, Movember participated in a roundtable discussion at No. 10 alongside the creators of Netflix’s Adolescence, a coalition of charities, and young people. The UK Government has made Adolescence free to watch for schools. While we welcome this action to support young men, as the Prime Minster acknowledged this is not a silver bullet solution and this issue extends far beyond the classroom. Parents, educators, and young people need greater support to address the real challenges young men face today.

The show has sparked important conversations by bringing mainstream attention to the fictional stories of fathers and sons, shedding light on the complexities of young men’s experiences. However, we must go further - by listening to the real voices of young men across the UK and taking meaningful action to improve their mental health, well-being, and futures.

At Movember, we believe that:

• Schools alone are not enough: While schools play an important role in shaping young people’s understanding of gender, relationships, and mental health, the challenges young men face today extend far beyond the classroom. Much of the content influencing their perspectives on masculinity comes from online sources, particularly social media and online influencers. To truly support young men, we need interventions that extend beyond schools and into the digital spaces where they actively engage. This includes social media campaigns, online education, and partnerships with content creators who can promote healthier narratives about masculinity.
• Media literacy is critical: Young men need tools to critically assess the broader range of content they consume online. Schools should integrate media literacy programs that teach students how to evaluate online content, recognise manipulation tactics, and develop independent critical thinking skills. Without these tools, young men remain vulnerable to misinformation and potentially harmful ideologies.
• Mental health and relationships are being shaped by online content: Movember’s research highlights a concerning trend - while masculinity influencers can provide motivation, inspiration, and a sense of belonging, they can also contribute to increased stress, poor mental and physical health, and negative attitudes towards relationships and gender roles. Young men engaging with this content are more likely to experience feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and social isolation. They also report struggles with dating and relationships, often feeling rejected or frustrated, leading to further disconnection.
• Policy must be proactive and inclusive: While the government’s decision to provide Adolescence to schools shows they recognise the importance of the issues, it must be part of a broader, long-term approach to addressing the well-being of young men including the upcoming men’s health strategy. This includes increased funding for mental health services tailored to young men’s needs, evidence-based programs that promote healthy masculinities and stronger regulation of harmful online content. Policymakers should listen to the experiences of young men online, and also work with social media platforms to improve transparency around algorithms and ensure young people are not disproportionately exposed to content that reinforces harmful stereotypes or encourages risky behaviours. Without a comprehensive strategy, we risk isolating young men rather than engaging them in meaningful conversations about their future.

"At Movember, our job is to listen to young men and ensure their voices are heard," said Amy O’Connor, Global Lead, Policy & Advocacy at Movember.

“Providing Adolescence to schools must be part of a broader effort to address the challenges young men face. They need access to resources and content that support healthy masculinity, mental well-being, and strong relationships. The solution is complex, but lasting change is possible if schools, policymakers, tech companies, communities, and young men themselves work together."

Research to be released by Movember in April, based on insights from over 3,000 young men aged 16-25, explores the significant role men and masculinity influencers play in shaping young men’s mental, physical, social, and relational health. With Adolescence now reaching classrooms nationwide, we have a timely opportunity to expand conversations about masculinity and ensure young men receive the right support.

Movember looks forward to contributing insights from our research to help shape effective, evidence-based solutions that empower young men. We encourage continued collaboration between the government, educators, and organisations working in this space.