Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
‘Adolescence’: A multi-generational challenge
Since its release in March, the British drama series Adolescence has become one of the most-watched series globally on Netflix. Directed by Philip Barantini, the series has triggered much discourse across generations. The show, starring Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham (who also co-created and co-wrote the show), and Ashley Walters, revolves around Jamie (Cooper), a 13-year-old boy, who is arrested for allegedly murdering a girl. The four episodes follow his arrest, slowly revealing the events leading up to the murder and the aftermath of the debacle.
Cyber bullying & social media
One of the key themes explored in Adolescence is bullying. Jamie is revealed to have been called an “incel” on social media — an example of cyberbullying that affects his mental health, leading him to feel isolated and misunderstood. These comments have a lasting impact on Jamie, as they shape how he views himself and the world around him. The show implies that this is one of the catalysts for Jamie’s actions. By showing how swiftly cyberbullying can affect impressionable teens, the series underscores the darker side of social media and its potential to hurt.
This is concerning because of the easy accessibility of social media among teens and the lack of regulation over their usage. This creates space for unkindness and “hate comments”, where negativity and bullying are common. I have observed this when using social media – comment sections are full of insults and abuse. Instagram reels, especially, are notorious for bullying others based on race, looks, and even gender. Social media provides people with a sense of anonymity that encourages them to say things that they would never say in person, allowing for people’s deepest and meanest thoughts to see the light of day. A lot of people also do not consider that their comments are seen by a real person with real feelings and emotions. Adolescence cautions viewers about the impact of social media, especially on teens who are not equipped with guidance or tools to handle it safely.
Masculinity in the digital manosphere
Masculinity is another central theme in Adolescence, explored repeatedly throughout the show. The show alludes to the “manosphere”, which refers to spaces online that are actively misogynistic and focused on uplifting toxic masculinity. Through the show, it becomes clear that Jamie has been influenced by the manosphere. In fact, he even cites the 80/20 rule —that 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men— to his psychologist when she asks him why girls may not like him. This view is inherently misogynistic, since it allows men to blame women for their lack of relationships or romance.
The highly controversial social media influencer, Andrew Tate, is also mentioned in the show. Tate is an integral part of the manosphere who rose to notoriety due to his misogynistic viewpoints. Tate’s large audience (10.7 million followers on X, formerly Twitter,) are mostly young male teenagers. As a high school student, I’ve heard a lot about Tate’s viewpoints, both through social media and everyday conversations. Many of my peers feel that Tate’s rhetoric is harmful and can’t fathom why he has so much influence over his audience. Even on social media, the rise of misogyny is widely visible and often normalized, with derogatory terms for women commonly used in comment sections.
Parenting in the digital era
A prominent theme that has emerged since the show’s release is parenting. We see Jamie’s parents trying to come to terms with what he has done. As they process the tragedy, they grapple with the haunting question: Where did they go wrong? The show portrays this struggle with raw intensity and deep emotion.
This theme is striking because it highlights the vulnerability of parents in an age where external pressures, like social media, often have a more immediate influence on their kids. This reflects a larger issue of how difficult it is for parents to keep up with the changing landscape that their children are navigating. My peers and I have had conversations with our parents where they have expressed how difficult it is for them to keep up with the constantly evolving digital age. As social media use swells, parents can have a hard time meaningfully connecting with their kids and keeping track of what they are consuming or being influenced by.
This surge of social media and the internet is relatively recent, making it more difficult for parents who are navigating it for the first time. Lacking prior experience, parents may find it challenging to help protect their kids from malicious influences.
Walking the talk for change
While the content has caused fear and uneasiness, Adolescence has also inspired people to take action and start conversations to raise awareness about it. Netflix has made the series “available to all secondary schools across the UK through Into Film+.” This is important, since it allows for both parents and children to talk about social media, bullying and parenting. This type of action is vital to help the next generation navigate the ever-changing issues shaping our lives.
For an adult perspective of the show Adolescence, read Aindrila Roy’s review.