Adolescence, an immersive four-part miniseries filmed in England, explores the difficult questions that arise when a 13-year-old boy is accused of stabbing a girl in his school. Actor Owen Cooper plays Jamie. (Courtesy of Netflix)
Netflix’s latest drama, Adolescence, is sending chills down parents' spines—not because of its shocking premise, but because it feels disturbingly real. The four-part miniseries follows the arrest of a 13-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing a female classmate. It has left many parents questioning whether they truly understand the dangers their children face online.
A Reflection of Modern Parenting Fears
Since its release in March, Adolescence has been watched by over 66 million viewers worldwide. The show resonates deeply, highlighting how young boys can be influenced by harmful online spaces. Parents have taken to social media, sharing emotional reactions. TikTok videos feature "boy moms" in tears, urging others to watch the show as a wake-up call.
Parenting websites have also weighed in. Jen McGuire, a writer for Scary Mommy, admitted she had no idea about the dangers lurking in plain sight. A post on The EveryMom echoed similar concerns, emphasizing how little parents know beyond popular Gen Z slang like "sigma."
The Hidden Dangers of Online Misogyny
Experts say Adolescence is striking a nerve because parents are often unaware of the manosphere—a digital space where misogynistic and extremist ideologies spread.
A 2024 White Ribbon Campaign survey found that 82% of Canadian parents of boys had never even heard of the manosphere. Despite its low visibility, this online world has been linked to radicalization and real-world violence.
A recent IPSOS U.K. poll found that one in seven parents admitted they had no confidence in what their children were exposed to online. Shana MacDonald, a researcher at the University of Waterloo, believes society lacks media literacy on how to counteract harmful digital content.
"We need to have serious conversations about the violence, exploitation, and hateful beliefs young people are exposed to online," MacDonald told CBC News.
A Hauntingly Realistic Story
In Adolescence, 13-year-old Jamie (played by Owen Cooper) is arrested in his suburban home. The police accuse him of stabbing a classmate, yet his family defends him fiercely. Initially, he appears as a frightened child, breaking down in the interrogation room. However, CCTV footage soon reveals the chilling truth—he did commit the crime.
The series is designed to force parents to see themselves in Jamie’s parents, Eddie and Christine, played by Stephen Graham and Christine Tremarco. The moment of realization—when Eddie watches his son’s actions on screen—makes the horror all too real.
"You have to see him as someone who could be your child," says culture writer Amil Niazi.
The Global Impact of the Show
The conversation has even reached political leaders. In the U.K., Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed Netflix’s initiative to make Adolescence available to secondary schools for free. He believes it will help educate teenagers about misogyny, online radicalization, and healthy relationships.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a roundtable meeting with Adolescence writer Jack Thorne in London on Monday. (Jack Taylor/Pool/Reuters)
Meanwhile, reports show that the dangers depicted in the series are very real. The UN, CSIS, and RCMP have all raised alarms about young people being drawn into violent ideologies. Since 2014, self-identified incels have killed over 50 people across Canada and the U.S.
What Can Parents Do?
The final episode of Adolescence focuses on the aftermath, with Jamie’s parents struggling with guilt. As his mother says through tears, "We made him."
Experts say this should be a wake-up call. Shana MacDonald advises parents to:
- Limit screen time and monitor online activity.
- Use parental controls on devices and apps.
- Talk openly about gender equality, consent, and online dangers.
- Stay involved in their children’s digital lives, including knowing passwords and group chats.
The message is clear, and ignoring the problem is no longer an option.
