Adolescence is a fictional drama series on Netflix, but it has had a real impact. Since the release, people have talked about social media, being a man, and the mental health of teens and young adults in schools, homes, and even in parliaments. The reason is simple: Adolescence shows fears that many adults already have about what it means to grow up online, even though it is dramatised.
The story is about Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who feels bad about himself, is very lonely, and needs to be told that he is okay. Over time, his emotional issues start to affect his online life, which leads to terrible things. The show doesn't say that social media is the only reason for his behaviour, but it does show that it had a huge effect on him when he was very low.
One of the main ideas in Adolescence is that young boys are very emotionally weak. When Jamie is with his dad, it's hard for him to show anger or sadness. He wants to be liked and valued, but he can't find this in the real world. This unmet need makes him more likely to be swayed by what he sees online. The series is based on a bigger worry that cultural ideas about what it means to be a man make boys less likely to show weakness or ask for help.
The show also gives us a peek into the ‘manosphere’, a loose group of online spaces where men and boys talk about their problems. The series uses terms like the ‘red pill’ to show how certain online messages give simple but harmful explanations for why relationships fail or why someone feels overlooked. For teenagers who are already struggling, the show suggests it can be hard to step back and question these ideas.
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Jamie’s behaviour is not easily explained by adolescence. It's easier to understand why he did what he did if you think about both psychological and social factors. Vulnerabilities that already exist, being alone, and how the family works all play a role. The internet makes these problems worse, but it doesn't cause them on its own. This difference is particularly important, especially since people were scared after the show was released.
After Adolescence aired, more stories about teens and social media came to the fore. Various articles mentioned that social media is bad for teens and called for strict limits or even bans. It's not common for a country to ban social media for younger users, but Australia has done so. This shows that governments are starting to take these problems very seriously. People often blame parents or the young people themselves instead of the platform's design or other social factors.
The series has also made people wonder if boys are now more likely to be hurt. Adolescence focuses on a male main character and deals with problems that come up when trying to show emotions, figure out who you are, and find a place to belong. This has made people worry that some boys, especially those who feel alone or rejected, may be more likely to be affected by radical or anti-women content. This does not lessen the significant dangers that girls face online, but it does show that not all teens are at the same level of risk.
Experts say that you shouldn't draw big conclusions from just one made-up story. Teenage years are full of drama that is meant to get people to feel and pay attention. It makes things easier and more fun than they usually are in real life. People who watch the show might think that social media directly causes violence or serious mental illness, but the truth is much more complicated.
The show also shows how difficult it is to be a parent. Jamie’s parents are not neglectful; they are just overwhelmed by the digital world they did not grow up in. They don't know how much they really know about their son's life online. A lot of parents have this problem: how to find the right balance between trust, supervision, and independence in a world where everyone is always online.
Online spaces can help people connect and support each other, especially teens. The series doesn't talk about social media itself; it talks about what happens when teens who are already vulnerable try to fit in and find things that make them feel worse.
The show makes us ponder important things like how to grow emotionally, what it means to be a man, and how young people use digital spaces. The conversation that has started is real, and how we respond to it matters.
(Dr Itticheria Alex Vallakalil is a specialist psychiatrist for NHS UK)
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.