Footballer says parents key to Adolescence success

A Derby County footballer who runs mentoring sessions in schools says Netflix show Adolescence has highlighted how parents may not know what their children are up to behind closed doors.

Midfielder Ben Osborn said the drama about a 13-year-old boy charged with the murder of a female classmate had done a good job highlighting some of the dangers children faced online.

Netflix has said it will make the series available to screen for free in secondary schools.

Osborn said while showing the programme in schools "isn't going to do any harm", it was key the issues opened up discussions for parents.

He said: "The scary thing about Adolescence is it blindsided the parents - the stuff that they're getting up to on social media or online, how can you police that?"

Osborn, of Spondon in Derby, visits primary and secondary schools through his company EFD Sport & Education, which he set up with former Nottingham Forest academy team-mate Jack Andrews.

He added: "Across the country, suspensions are at an all-time high, permanent exclusions are increasing year on year, and you are definitely seeing a rise in behavioural issues.

"If I spend an hour on X or social media, I'm confused, I don't know what to think because the algorithm gives you a load of different stuff.

"It's confusing, let alone if you're an impressionable teenager. It can be scary."

The enterprise has a team of mentors that visit schools in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire using sport to help improve behaviour, attendance and engagement.

Osborn said: "You have to educate young people because the world is changing, you can't just say log off your phones and let's live in this real world, but a lot of the time it's fake realities they're seeing online and that's the issue.

"Adolescence is a very difficult programme to watch but I'm pleased that it's showing people what life for some young people can be like.

"We've been talking about this for a long time and people are now seeing that for themselves. That's very welcome, but it's long overdue."

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