In a revealing chat, 15-year-old Ben, his mom Sophie, and dad Martin sift through the tough themes posed by Netflix's hit show "Adolescence." The series centers around a boy named Jamie, facing serious charges after being swayed by toxic online ideologies and enduring cyberbullying. The family's living room becomes a safe space to unpack crucial subjects like sex, online harassment, and modern friendships.
Ben admits that sharing feelings about sexuality with his folks feels "weird," even as they aim for an open, trusting environment. Surprisingly, he learns about the term "incel" (a man who can't find a partner) for the first time during their conversation. He feels the show paints a rough outline of teen life, missing out on the positive aspects of social media, instead focusing on its terrifying side.
The parents express their worries that Ben could be negatively influenced by what he sees online. For instance, they allude to Andrew Tate, an influencer linked to misogynistic views, who was briefly popular at Ben’s school. Ben believes that while Tate’s ideas have faded, a broader problem persists—the toxic messaging about male-female friendships.
The series starkly showcases the distance in interactions between boys and girls today, and Sophie worries that Ben’s knowledge about girls comes mainly from social media, which she describes as "twisted." They discuss experiences with friends that illustrate the potential pitfalls of using social media for dating guidance.
The show also addresses serious issues like sharing explicit images without consent, a topic that Ben recognizes as a reality among his peers. He notes that some friends of his feel "addicted" to pornography, revealing a troubling aspect of youth culture.
For their family, the solution lies in getting Ben engaged in clubs and activities that build social skills and confidence, while also calling for a collective effort from tech companies, schools, and families to combat negative online influences. Ben decisively states that what occurs online is very much part of reality and should be taken seriously by adults.
