St Columba’s College’s Commitment to Combating Online Misogyny and the Impact of Netflix’s Adolescence

Leading the Way in Tackling Online Misogyny

At St Columba’s, we are committed to equipping our students to navigate the digital world with confidence and discernment. This commitment extends to the entire school, ensuring all students receive education on critical issues. To help us achieve this, we regularly invite expert speakers alongside our pastoral periods to address growing issues like online misogyny.

In March, Form 4 and Form 5 attended a talk titled “The Rise of Online Misogyny,” which explored the concerning spread of harmful content on social media. The session discussed how ‘male self-improvement’ influencers manipulate young people, particularly young men, with harmful representations of masculinity. These influencers often use pyramid schemes, trading and online courses to encourage young audiences to idealise misogynistic views. A critical approach to these online influencers was recommended, along with some tactics these individuals use to gather support. The talk provided students with the knowledge to identify these risks and make informed choices about how they engage online.

This topic isn’t just discussed in these years though… Wider discussion for the rest of the students happens regularly and also explores how consuming this type of content can be a gateway to extremism and violence against women—an issue that is becoming all too familiar in today’s media landscape..

Putting This Into Context – Netflix’s Adolescence

This discussion is particularly relevant given the wider media attention the topic has received. The Netflix series “Adolescence” has sparked national conversations about the dangers of online radicalisation, particularly among young boys exposed to misogynistic influencers.

As parents, you couldn’t help but put yourself in the parents’ shoes, and I found it uncomfortable watching and thinking about my son and daughter. I was also reassured that, as a school, we have highlighted this issue to the students for the last few years and are ahead of the curve.

The series highlights the real-world consequences of this kind of online content, making it clear that early intervention is crucial.

Leading publications have also weighed in on this issue, as I’m sure you have seen:

• The Times article, “Boys to Get Anti-Misogyny Lessons as TV Drama Adolescence Hits Home”
• The Guardian’s “From the Police to the Prime Minister: How Adolescence is Making Britain Face Up to Toxic Masculinity”
• The Telegraph’s “The Rise of Online Misogyny”

Hopefully, by setting out what we do below, we can reassure you that your sons and daughters are receiving extremely high-quality and relevant education on these topics.

Why This Matters Now

This issue is more urgent today than it was in the past. The digital landscape has evolved significantly, and young people are now exposed to content that shapes their views and behaviours in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago. At St Columba’s, we take a proactive approach to addressing these issues head-on, empowering students to critically assess what they see online. We aim to equip them with the tools to make safe and responsible choices, both in the digital world and beyond.

Our commitment to this extends beyond one-off talks. Through our twice-weekly pastoral period, we prioritise student wellbeing and open discussions on important societal issues. This holistic approach ensures that personal development is at the heart of our curriculum, preparing students for life both inside and outside the classroom. Fostering a culture of respect, equality, and open communication is central to our mission.

An Embedded Approach to Relationships Education

At St Columba’s, our commitment to tackling these issues is deeply embedded in our curriculum. Unlike many schools, we dedicate two sessions per week to discussing personal, social, and ethical topics.  This regular engagement allows students to revisit important themes, ensuring that they are not just taught once but are part of an ongoing conversation and spiral curriculum.

Twice this year, we have already focused on relationships, enabling us to explore these topics in greater depth and revisit them as students grow and develop. One of the most important subjects we address within relationships education is consent. At St Columba’s, we approach this topic with the nuance it deserves, exploring it from both boys’ and girls’ perspectives in an age-appropriate way. By doing so, we help students understand the social and emotional factors that influence decision-making. This balanced approach equips them with the awareness and confidence to form healthy, respectful relationships throughout their lives.

We also listen carefully to our students, which is why last year, our student voice group suggested a greater focus on coercive control (in older years) in our curriculum. This year, we have incorporated this vital topic into our lessons.

A Resource for Parents and Guardians

We also understand the vital role parents play in supporting their children’s development, especially when it comes to navigating these difficult topics. That’s why St Columba’s provides access to the TeenTips Wellbeing Hub, which includes age-appropriate resources such as conversation starters for discussing online misogyny with both boys and girls. These resources are designed to support parents in fostering healthy, open dialogues at home. We encourage all families to take full advantage of these tools to help guide these important conversations. These articles are also available to the students.

Supporting Our Staff and Parents

Recognising that children communicate differently from when we were growing up, we have also provided our staff with information on how to recognise subtle markers of this type of behaviour. This includes understanding the use of emojis and other digital communication methods that may indicate exposure to harmful content. By equipping our staff with this knowledge, we ensure they are better prepared to support our students and address any concerns that may arise.

For parents, it is important to be aware of changes in your child’s behaviour, such as increased secrecy or if you are unsure of their use of certain emojis or sudden shifts in their online activity.

Use of certain symbols/emojis (Note: Use of these does not automatically indicate radicalisation but may warrant a closer look):

• Pill emoji – Identifying as an incel, referring to manosphere ideology.

• 100 emoji – Linked to the “80/20 rule” (the belief that 80% of women are only attracted to 20% of men).

• Red bean emoji – Used by others to suggest someone is an incel.

• Coloured heart emojis  – Different meanings within incel communities (e.g., red = love, yellow = seeking reciprocation, orange = “you’ll be fine”).
• Additionally, any mention of “Elliot Rodger” or “going E.R.” (a reference to a known incel extremist) should be reported immediately.

I realise this is difficult with teenagers…. But if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Head of House, myself, or Mr Boland in the Prep. We are here to support you and your child in navigating these challenges.

Looking Ahead

We believe that education goes beyond academics; it is about shaping responsible, thoughtful, and compassionate individuals. By addressing online misogyny, we are taking an important step towards safeguarding our students and ensuring they grow into adults who champion equality and respect in all areas of life.

As always, we remain committed to engaging with the most pressing issues facing our students today and providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our work in this area will continue, and we look forward to further opportunities to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need for the future.

Netflix’s Adolescence: What can we as parents and educators learn from the series and how do we better support our young people? – Teentips Wellbeing Hub

If you have any questions or comments please contact Mr Mark Livesey – DSL