After watching “Adolescence” with my twin 14-year-old sons, I’ve found myself constantly reflecting. It sparked deep conversations in our household about teens and social media, and I’ve been eager to discuss it with anyone who will listen…

The Netflix series powerfully explores the complexities of smartphone use and the online world, how teens engage with digital platforms, and the real-life impact this can have on their mental health and well-being. It tackles uncomfortable yet essential topics head-on, such as toxic masculinity explained clearly and online subcultures like incels—an issue many parents haven’t fully understood until now. 

Toxic masculinity refers to harmful expectations placed on young men, pressuring them to suppress emotions or behave aggressively, while incels are individuals who blame others, particularly women, for their own loneliness, often expressing anger online in harmful ways.

The show also references controversial figure Andrew Tate, known for promoting problematic views around masculinity, relationships, and wealth. His content often encourages aggressive, sexist, and harmful attitudes towards women, contributing to unhealthy mindsets among impressionable teens.

“Adolescence” was eye-opening precisely because it addressed these serious issues creatively yet realistically. Some moments genuinely shocked me, although, disappointingly, other scenes felt all too familiar. This sentiment is widely shared, with many viewers calling the series a wake-up call for parents, educators, and caregivers alike.

Without giving too many spoilers away, one episode is shot in a state secondary school. The response to this episode has been mixed—some parents were shocked by how the students responded, others felt it mirrored their own children’s experiences, while some felt it didn’t reflect their children’s schools at all.

It’s important to note the series isn’t intended to create fear or panic but rather encourage awareness, understanding, conversation and positive action. Small, unnoticed shifts in young people’s behaviour can accumulate over time, making it essential for us adults to remain present, attentive, and responsive to their emotional needs.

As parents, our instinct is always to protect our children. But it’s complicated—we often hand our kids smartphones, understandably wanting them to fit in and connect, yet we simultaneously expose them to significant risks. My twin boys were given smartphones from the age of 11. This is something both my sons (and we as parents) felt immense peer pressure to do. We were told they were the only ones in their class who didn’t have a phone, and that it was essential for homework, as many assignments are now shared online by teachers.

One valuable takeaway was a newfound appreciation for schools and teachers. Now, I understand the immense pressure educators face daily, striving to keep our children safe both offline and online.

Another striking aspect of the series is how it reveals the ripple effect on the entire family. Parents watching this will likely find themselves asking: “Have I done enough? AM I doing enough? Could I have done things differently?” These are uncomfortable but important questions. “Adolescence” shows us that behaviour doesn’t change in a vacuum—it’s shaped by dynamics at home, the quality of connection within the family, and the emotional availability of caregivers. The show doesn’t blame parents, but it does hold up a mirror. It encourages us to reflect, not to feel shame, but to grow.