Kemi Badenoch has commented on the drama series Adolescence, stating that while it is inspired by real events, its narrative has been significantly altered. She acknowledged that the show highlights certain societal issues but emphasised that Islamic terrorism poses a more significant threat. The controversy arose when co-creator Jack Thorne dismissed online claims that the show had altered the race of its lead character from a real-life case it was allegedly based on. The series explores incel (involuntary celibate) culture and examines the consequences of online radicalization, particularly in the case of a teenage boy accused of murdering a female classmate. The programme has sparked a broader debate on internet safety and its impact on young people.

In an interview with GB News, the MP said, "I think Adolescence is a fictional story. It’s based on a real story, but my understanding is that the boy who committed that crime was not white... The prime minister should not be building policy on fiction. He should be building policy on reality. What is the reality? Phones are disrupting schools and not enough schools have effective bans."

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Speaking to LBC, Badenoch admitted she had not watched the show but had read about it: "From what I understand, this is a fictional adaptation of a story that has been substantially changed," she remarked. "It is certainly an interesting narrative and highlights some contemporary issues. However, it is not the most pressing concern when it comes to online radicalisation. There are far graver dangers, such as Islamic extremism, that require attention."

Badenoch reiterated that while the drama sheds light on societal problems, it remains a work of fiction. "I recognise what the series is about and believe it offers a compelling perspective on a specific issue. However, we should focus on real-world threats, such as the radicalisation of individuals through social media. The story itself has been fundamentally altered from its original inspiration, and basing policy decisions on fictional representations rather than factual cases is problematic." She also referenced the Conservative Party’s policy of banning mobile phones in schools, a move that has faced criticism, with opponents arguing that many schools already prohibit phone use among students.

The controversy surrounding the show escalated after a social media post, amplified by Elon Musk, suggested that the drama had "race-swapped" its lead character and was inspired by the Southport attacker. In response, Thorne refuted these claims, asserting that the series does not depict a true story but rather explores themes of masculinity. Speaking on The News Agents podcast, he said, "It’s ridiculous to claim that knife crime is exclusively perpetrated by black boys. That is simply untrue. History shows that individuals from all racial backgrounds have been involved in such incidents."