"I haven't done anything," the boy sobs repeatedly, even as the evidence is laid out in front of him. Later, his parents, talking despairingly to each other about their son's arrest, echo his remarks: "We've done nothing wrong, have we?"

The young boy is Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old who is taken by police in the first episode of the series after they find the body of his murdered classmate Katie Leonard.

It is revealed that Jamie has been indoctrinatedTaught to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them. by misogynisticStrong and deeply ingrained prejudice against women.  social media influencers. And CCTV footage shows him confronting Katie, who previously rejected him, becoming enraged and then stabbing her repeatedly.

The impactfulHaving a major impact. show has broken records. The opening episode of Adolescence was watched by 6.45 million people in its first week, the biggest audience for any streaming TV show in the UK in a single week.

Viewers included the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who told the House of Commons last week that he had been watching the series with his two teenage children.

The show was created by its star Stephen Graham and screenwriter Jack Thorne. Graham and Thorne said they wanted to "look into the eye of male rage".¹

For many, the most alarming scene comes in episode three, when child psychologist Briony attempts to get Jamie to open up to her. In response, Jamie tries to appeal to her, teases and mocks her, intimidates her and then suddenly snaps into an uncontrollable misogynistic rage.

These are chilling scenes, which have clearly resonated with many in Britain and beyond. The show clocked 24.3 million views across the world within four days, and topped the Netflix ratings in 71 countries from Vietnam to Chile. "Male rage" is a problem everywhere.

Are we doing enough to end this new "pandemic"? France has already implemented a smartphone ban in primary and middle schools, while Denmark is soon to do the same across all schools. Australia has banned under-16s from social media. Some say that Britain's response has been comparatively sluggish.

But others say phones and the internet are not the problem. They think the most important thing we can do is provide positive role models for young men.

One advocate for this approach is former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate, who spoke out last week about the need for better male role models and the danger of "callous, manipulative and toxic influencers".

"Too many young men are isolated," said Southgate in the BBC's annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture. "Many don't have mentors - teachers, coaches, bosses - who understand how best to push them to grow."²

Is this because it simply shows the truth?

Yes: Male violence against women as a result of online misogyny is a huge and growing problem, but Adolescence has made it impossible to avoid. Now everyone, from MPs to police, has to confront the issue and find a way to create a better world.

No: The show has clearly been a massive success, but it is a drama, not a documentary. Its appeal to people is not just because it "tells the truth". At the end of the day, it is entertainment, and it is designed to exaggerate or caricature an issue, not represent it completely faithfully.

Or... To say it is only popular because it tells the truth is to discredit many of the achievements of the show. Many people liked it because of its formal innovations and incredible acting, particularly by newcomer Owen Cooper.

Indoctrinated - Taught to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them.

Misogynistic - Strong and deeply ingrained prejudice against women. 

Impactful - Having a major impact.