Why Every Parent Must Watch Netflix’s "Adolescence"

Since its release last month, Netflix's smash hit miniseries Adolescence has gained over 120 million views in over 80 countries, pushing it to the third most-watched Netflix series ever. What is more impressive than each episode being shot in one single continuous take or its near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating is the global conversation it has started; Parents of teenagers are taking notice, from the living rooms of American families to the residence of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.

"As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you it hit home hard," said Prime Minister Starmer.

On the surface, the plot of the miniseries plays out like a psychological crime drama. A thirteen-year-old boy, Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), is arrested for the alleged murder of his classmate Katie. In real-time, the episodes explore Jamie and his family's stunned reaction, the unfolding of the police investigation, the boy's toxic influences leading to his psychological state, and the gaping disconnect between Gen X parents and their Gen Alpha children.

For many parents, the show is a wake-up call about digital abuse and social media bullying, where targeted online attacks on a young child spill into self-destructive thoughts and, eventually, real-world violence. Teaching young children how to protect themselves in the physical world is essential but not enough; education must also include the digital realm. This is a challenge that most Generation X parents did not face while growing up.

The series also critiques an education system in which mental health issues frequently go unrecognized until it is too late. Was it institutional failures, online bullying, toxic masculinity, or parents unconsciously exhibiting negative behaviors that led Jamie to commit the unspeakable crime? The show does not offer an answer but rather presents all possibilities as food for thought for its audience.

Episode three was particularly pivotal in conveying these themes. The entire episode focuses on a conversation between Jamie and psychologist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty) as she skillfully navigates sensitive topics with the alleged murderer. They examine various issues, including his attraction to girls, his friendship with the murder victim, Katie, his relationship with his father and grandfather, and the misogynistic messages he encounters online. Throughout this intense dialogue, Briony remains calm and composed, even when Jamie suddenly experiences a dramatic shift in personality and unleashes a torrent of anger and fury at her. The emotionally raw therapy session leaves Briony in tears, but she succeeds in getting Jamie to begin self-reflecting on the unspeakable violence he may have committed.

This contrasts sharply with episode four, where Jamie's father, Eddie (Stephen Graham), goes on a rampage outside a hardware store. He screams at and threatens young boys whom he believes vandalized his van, pours a can of paint over the graffiti, throws a bicycle at the boys, and rants and intimidates the store's security guard. The creators of Adolescence wait until this episode, the last of the limited series, to suggest that there may have been more to Jamie's alleged violent crime than online misogyny.

If you plan to watch the show with your parents, like I did, don't be surprised if you have contrasting takeaways. My parents became fixated on limiting how much digital content my brother and I could consume daily. However, I found the show's portrayal of women and how they fit into this portrayal of toxic masculinity captivating. Lisa (Amelie Pease), Jamie's older sister, and Manda (Christine Tremarco), Jamie's mom, offer quiet but unshakeable strength to the family, grappling with their worst nightmare coming true. They show immense resilience and forgiveness and admirably attempt to find a path forward for the family.

No matter what you take away from Adolescence, its lessons are too important to ignore. It is authentic storytelling at its finest. And we may soon get more: Executive producer Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment is reportedly in early talks with Netflix about a possible second season.

I urge you to watch Adolescence; it's absolutely essential. The stakes for our generation couldn't be higher, and you won't want to miss this.