The Directorate of Health in Iceland has advised Health Promoting Primary Schools not to screen the Netflix series Adolescence, citing concerns over its appropriateness and unproven value as a tool for preventing youth violence.
Child Violence a Major Topic of Discussion
The Directorate of Health has sent a letter to contacts and principals at Health Promoting Primary Schools in Iceland, discouraging the screening of the series Adolescence to students, Vísir reports.
The letter – signed by project managers with the Directorate of Health and recommended for distribution among teachers – notes that violence among children has been “a major topic of discussion this winter.”
“Schools are understandably seeking ways to prevent such issues. When concerns arise regarding children and young people in society, popular culture is sometimes turned to, and it is suggested that students, for example, watch videos, films, or other content deemed relevant to young people and potentially preventative in nature.”
Screened in Schools in the UK
As noted by Vísir, there are plans to screen the series Adolesence in all primary schools in the UK.
“In the UK, for instance, the series has reportedly been shown in schools in the name of prevention. In response, organisations working in violence prevention in that country issued a statement warning against such an approach.”
The Directorate of Health in Iceland does not support this initiative. On the contrary, the letter states that the Directorate believes there is reason to caution against showing this or similar material in schools for preventative purposes.
Not Considered Effective Prevention
The letter notes that such material is not considered effective for prevention, and its use in schools is seen as problematic for several reasons:
- The approach is not evidence-based and comes without instructional guidelines.
- Teachers are often not equipped or trained to handle student reactions that may arise.
- Ethically, it is inappropriate to expose children to television content that may be rated above their age and which they may lack the maturity to process.
- Fear, shame, and shock do not change behaviour. Research has repeatedly shown that such methods are ineffective and can be harmful.
- Exposing children to shocking imagery does not align with a trauma-informed approach in schools.
- Such screenings can trigger trauma responses or cause disruptions in the classroom, with students reacting defensively by laughing, mocking, or ignoring what is shown.
- The content can reinforce or even promote extreme views rather than prevent them.
- Prevention efforts cannot rely on one-off interventions. Investment is needed in well-researched, long-term strategies that safeguard both the rights and safety of children.
As noted by Vísir, the letter also notes that earlier this winter, the Directorate sent a letter to school and youth centre administrators encouraging them to consider the efficacy of specific methods before implementing measures in the field of violence prevention. Administrators were urged to review a fact sheet on prevention efforts.
The majority of elementary schools in the country are classified as Health Promoting Schools.
Health Promoting Elementary Schools are intended to support schools in systematically integrating health promotion into their work. This involves creating a school environment that fosters the mental, physical, and social health and well-being of students and staff, in collaboration with families and the local community. Schools develop a holistic and well-structured health policy that considers the entire school community as a whole.
