The critically acclaimed series Adolescence continued its award season dominance at the 2026 Golden Globes, winning multiple awards including Best Limited Series. However, creator Jack Thorne used the platform to deliver a pointed message about societal failures in preventing youth violence.
The Core Message: Not Fear of Teens, But Blame on Adults
Thorne made it clear that the show—which depicts the aftermath of a violent attack by a teen boy accused of murder—is not meant to instill fear of young people. Instead, he argued that the root cause lies in the “filth and debris” left by older generations. He explicitly stated that preventing such tragedies is the responsibility of adults, requiring systemic change “from the top down.”
Deconstructing the Narrative: Beyond the Manosphere
Adolescence has garnered praise for its unflinching look at toxic online ideologies, including the manosphere and incel culture. Thorne insists the show’s protagonist isn’t simply a product of these spaces, but a consequence of systemic failures: neglectful parenting, indifferent schools, and a lack of intervention. He pointed out that while individual regulation (parental controls, school bans on phones) can help, it’s not enough.
“Put 3,000 kids in the same situation and they wouldn’t do what he did. Yet spend any time on forums on 4chan or Reddit…and you end up in some dark spaces.”
The Call for Government Intervention
Thorne argued that government support is vital because dangerous ideas online are overwhelming for young minds to process alone. He emphasized that the proliferation of extremist content isn’t simply a matter of individual responsibility, but a public safety crisis demanding broader action.
Ultimately, Adolescence’s success isn’t just about awards. It’s about forcing a difficult conversation: the older generation created the conditions that allow such violence to fester, and they must now take responsibility for fixing it.
