The hit Netflix series, Adolescence, telling the story of a teenager accused of murdering a school friend, has raised a vital issue about the influence of social media on young people.

That’s the view of Richard Parkes, chief executive of the SYA charity, which supports thousands of young people across Shropshire and Telford by delivering youth clubs and other organised activities.

The programme explores how social media and misogynistic content can influence young people, through the eyes of a 13-year-old schoolboy who is arrested for killing a female classmate.

Mr Parkes, who has been involved in youth services for more than 30 years, said the programme sent a hugely important message about the different worlds that young people live in compared to their parents. 

He said: “As adults, we think we know our children and what is going on in their lives, whereas they want and enjoy a clandestine element to their lives, which is where the virtual world and social media invade.

“Even if parents monitor their accounts, the placement of an emoji can totally change the emphasis of the message, and many young people have multiple accounts on multiple platforms which makes it harder for parents and adults to know the whole picture. The meaning of some emojis will also be different for different groups!

“Peer pressure has always been a major influence, running it through social media amplifies the power. Couple this with the misogynistic rhetoric and following of people like Andrew Tate and we have a real problem.”

Mr Parkes said the reduction in organised activities, such as youth clubs, was creating a “perfect storm” of young people being vulnerable to online influencers.

He added: “80% of a young person’s waking time is spent out of school, and over the last 10 years there has been a massive decline in youth provision and activities, fuelled by austerity, political direction, the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and a reduction in adult volunteering.

“This is creating the perfect storm, with nowhere to go to socialise and receive support from appropriate adults like youth workers, scout leaders, sports coaches and people in the creative arts, more young people are adopting a sedentary lifestyle in their bedrooms where of course they are most vulnerable to the virtual world.

“Organised youth provision supplied by groups like SYA provides a safe space for young people to spend time with each other, and also gives them the opportunity to seek non-judgemental help and support from qualified youth workers as and when needed.”

Parents and young people can find their nearest youth club by visiting the SYA website at www.sya.org.uk and going to the ‘Find A Club’ page.