The British mini-series Adolescence is causing concern among parents and authorities, shedding light on the toxic influences of the online environment on teenagers.
The series, which has captured a global audience, quickly becoming number 1 on Netflix with over 24 million views in the first week, has had a real impact on public discourse, raising uncomfortable questions about juvenile violence, misogyny, and the dangers of the internet.
A global success with social impact
The series Adolescence has rapidly become a global phenomenon, topping the charts on Netflix and even being watched by political leaders like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Its immersive format, shot in a single take, and its gripping subject - a teenager accused of a crime - have turned the series into a hot topic of debate.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament that he watches it together with his teenage children.
A single question guides the four episodes - shot in a single take, enhancing the sense of immersion: how does Jamie, a teenager with an angelic face and a loving family, end up at the center of a murder investigation?
There are real consequences that, if parents do not intervene, can have a catastrophic effect, say experts consulted by journalists from Daily Mail.
There is a misconception that only neglected children who are part of gangs are vulnerable, but psychologists say that even the most privileged can be affected. In a way, having more space, both literally and figuratively, when parents are busy with work, and having more money for technology, all of these can make a child more vulnerable.
Disturbing realities: violence and online influences
The story of Jamie, the 13-year-old boy arrested for a shocking crime, reflects a harsh reality in the UK: the increasing prevalence of knife attacks making headlines, the influence of masculinists like Andrew Tate, and misogynistic rhetoric on young people, the inability to control the online lives of teenagers.
Experts and parents sound the alarm about online subcultures like "incel" and how algorithms fuel the consumption of extremist content.
Isabelle, the mother of two daughters aged 16 and 18, was "shocked," aware that the story "could be true."
She talks about the language used by young people on social media, especially regarding the "incel" ideology (short for "involuntary celibates," referring to men who have little success with women).
"We don't have access to all of this culture, and adults are excluded from it. And that is frightening," explains Isabelle, who wished to remain anonymous.
"So, how can you tell if your son is in danger? And what should you do about it?" Daily Mail asks.
The newspaper has compiled a list of signs for parents to watch out for. One of these is isolating himself in his room, but also being "obsessed" with his followers, etc.
A call for change
The creators of the series and education specialists emphasize the need for urgent measures, both legislative and educational.
The discussions sparked by Adolescence could be a turning point in protecting teenagers from the dangers of the internet and preventing future tragedies.
"Our research for this series took us to the darkest corners of the internet. It doesn't take much time to get there, and children are polluted by this kind of thing," said Jack Thorne, co-author of the book "Adolescence," to BBC.
"This is an ordinary family and an ordinary world, and it is very worrying what is possible now."
Stephen Graham, the producer of the series Adolescence, also spoke about the tragic moments that led him to make this film.
"I read an article in the newspaper about a boy who killed a young girl, and three weeks later I was watching the news and there was a story about a boy who stabbed a young girl to death," he said to BBC Breakfast.
"It really broke my heart, I thought: what is happening in society when such things become commonplace? I just couldn't understand. So I wanted to take a look and try to shed light on this. We never thought for a second that the series would have such an impact," said Stephen Graham, the creator of "Adolescence," who plays Jamie's father.
D.D.