'ADOLESCENCE' Presents Issues of Internet Influence on Children and Parenting Challenges in the Modern Era

Kapanlagi.com - The series ADOLESCENCE released by Netflix is still in the spotlight to this day. This drama-thriller series presents a depiction of the challenges parents face in the modern era in educating their own flesh and blood, as well as the impact on young people. The burden they carry is considered far more complex than what was placed on previous generations.

ADOLESCENCE is a show that presents the case of a 13-year-old boy named Jamie Miller who murders a girl. The series explores how the influence of the internet and expectations of masculinity affect the behavioral development of a teenager, leading him to delve into extreme realms.

The popularity of this Netflix release on March 13, 2025, has sparked public discussions and even become a topic of discussion in the UK Parliament. This public conversation prompted the Prime Minister to commit to addressing violence against women, especially among children.

1. Challenges for Parents

Important issues surrounding families are raised in the Netflix series ADOLESCENCE. (credit: imdb.com)

The existence of economic pressure, high expectations from the surrounding environment, demands for 'overparenting' or 'helicopter parenting', as well as unhealthy comparisons through social media, also burden parents in the digital era. It is noted that in the United States, the phenomenon of 'stress parenting' has been marked as a serious issue in society.

Parents are forced to become more proactive and aware of their children's online activities. They are also asked to always open up communication channels so that children feel safe and comfortable sharing the problems they are experiencing.

The use of social media by children has become one of the important concerns for all parents. Many young people choose to spend time surfing the internet due to limited time with their fathers and mothers as a result of busy work, lack of physical contact, and parenting styles influenced by their own childhood trauma.

Many parents often forget a crucial thing for themselves: taking care of their health and mental stability. This can happen because they are already burdened by their roles in fulfilling all the hopes and needs of their children.

Therefore, it is important for all parents to develop a more holistic parenting strategy and to realize that it is okay if they are not experts in everything. It is also essential to always prioritize time for their children to build a strong emotional connection.

2. The Impact of Social Media on Young People

Important issues surrounding family are raised in the Netflix series ADOLESCENCE. (credit: imdb.com)

Social media is one of the addictions that afflicts most young people in this digital era. This addiction triggers its own negative impacts for teenagers. The prevalence of cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and unhealthy competition become sources of pressure for them.

In ADOLESCENCE, viewers can see how a series of negative impacts caused by the advancement of the internet can lead to bad behavior and self-perception issues among children. The influence of the misogynistic culture of 'incel' also contributes to the shaping of the personalities of the younger generation through social media.

Moreover, ADOLESCENCE also showcases the interpretation of masculinity in society's view of young men. The pressure regarding rigid views and unrealistic expectations can have detrimental effects on their mental health and behavior. This is suspected to occur because there is very little space to express emotions and seek help in solving problems.

3. Synopsis of ADOLESCENCE

Important issues surrounding families are raised in the Netflix series ADOLESCENCE. (credit: imdb.com)

Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), a 13-year-old teenager, is arrested on charges of murdering a female classmate. This arrest marks the beginning of the downfall of the Miller family's life, which initially seemed normal. His mother, father, and close ones must face the bitter reality and immense public pressure.

According to reports, Jamie allegedly killed the victim by stabbing her multiple times with a kitchen knife around 10:13 PM local time. A police officer came to break into their home in the morning regarding the incident, shocking Eddie (Stephen Graham) and Manda (Christine Tremarco), the parents of the alleged perpetrator.

The defense put forth by Jamie's parents yields no favorable results. The police insist that their child must be taken and further interrogated at the police station. This series depicts how criminal tragedy can destroy family harmony and reveal hidden dark sides.

(kpl/rtr)