I watched Adolescence on Netflix
I am a parent. I am a YA novelist. I watched Adolescence on Netflix. And it has haunted me for the rest of my life.
This article is not a review or critique of the heart-wrenching show. Nor will I scrutinize any characters in the series. I’m writing about this hard-hitting four-episode series because of the profound impact it has had on me as a parent and an author.
For days, the very thought of Adolescence made me tear up. It still does. I’ve had several anxious, sleepless nights. But if I were to go back in time, I would still decide to watch this show. Because it is critical for every parent to be aware of how deeply the internet and social media can affect young minds.
The dark side of the web – this is a topic many of us want to avoid because we like to think it won’t affect us. I’ve heard parents and teachers say that monitoring, censoring, or banning illegal and inappropriate content will solve the problem. Is that true, though? I don’t think so because kids will try to attain the forbidden fruit merely because it is forbidden.
And is it really possible to ban every type of inappropriate content on the internet? No. Because most of these videos are extremely popular and not deemed harmful. By the time people realize how these posts can affect young minds, it’s too late. For example, the toxic masculinity content on social media was not removed for many years until the creators faced criminal charges. Some of this content is still available illegally.
Besides, depriving teens of popular “viral” content can do more harm than good. They will face peer pressure and bullying in school for being ignorant. This could result in resentment at home, even though the parents want to protect their children.
Then what should we do as parents? Honestly, I don’t think there is one single correct answer. It will depend on the individual and the situation. However, I would start with awareness. Parents must be aware of the latest social media trends, particularly the viral challenges and the “dope stuff” kids watch. Knowledge is power—even if we can’t relate to or don’t agree with most of it.
How can we foster this awareness? We must watch the viral videos even if they appall us. We shouldn’t ban our kids’ access to such content; instead, we must talk to them about it. We must raise uncomfortable questions and make them think for themselves. If our children don’t want to talk to us, we seek support from our wise peers and professional counselors who can handle such fragile situations better. Unless we seek help when required, our kids will never do so.
In addition to knowledge and communication, another powerful tool parents can use is to help their kids think. Influencers will continue to exist on social media. But we can teach our children to think for themselves instead of mindlessly following the herd mentality. Let’s encourage our children to ask the right questions – is this person stating facts? Are they speaking logically? Are they saying anything worthwhile? Will I get harmed if I follow this person? Furthermore, let us expose our youngsters to positive, logical, scientific, and meaningful content. Once we give them the nudge, they will be able to discriminate between insightful and harmful content themselves.
As a YA author who writes about contemporary social issues, watching Adolescence was an eye-opener. It made me realize how essential meaningful YA content is. Teen fiction that tackles issues like mental health, abuse, and peer pressure honestly without romanticizing them may not be popular, but they are the need of the hour. And I pledge to continue writing such books—for my daughter and all my readers who seek meaningful stories.
