‘Adolescence’ on Netflix: A reflection of teen mental health struggles

Adolescence is a British crime drama television miniseries revolving around the tumultuous journey of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering his classmate, Katie. The show explores complex themes like toxic masculinity, the influence of social media, and the challenges teenagers face today. 

Teens’ mental health has been a major concern for a very long time, with social media’s pervasive presence in teenagers’ lives linked to both positive and negative mental health outcomes. According to a recent study by Kenta Minamitani, a Stanford Law School LLM graduate (2024), while social media offers platforms for connection and self-expression, excessive use has been associated with increased risks of psychological distress. Notably, adolescents spending more than three hours daily on social media face double the risk of mental health problems.  

Social media’s influence has raised concerns about its impact on teens’ mental health, especially regarding the content they consume and the communities they engage with. In the series, Jamie’s immersion into online ‘incel’ culture, where disenfranchised males bond over shared grievances against women. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an incel is “a member of a group of people on the internet who are unable to find sexual partners despite wanting them, and who express hate towards people whom they blame for this”. Engaging in these types of cultures deteriorates and deforms the perception of women in a developing mind which can lead to negative consequences such as any violent acts. To the youth, these online cultures and their ideologies usually seem quite appealing resulting in them to follow them. 

As the series continues, we see that it was not only Jamie who was influenced and involved in these cultures, but his classmates and his friends too. We get a glimpse of the state of his friends, both of them feeling frustrated by what was happening around them. Katie’s (the victim’s) best friend is also seen to be in a state of denial and feeling a sense of helplessness due to the absence of her only friend. 

Toxic masculinity is also another major theme of the series. According to an article by Colleen Clemens (2017), the director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, Toxic masculinity is “a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression. It’s the cultural ideal of manliness, where strength is everything while emotions are a weakness”. The internet has become a significant platform for the promotion of toxic masculinity– specifically targeted towards male dominance, aggression and the subjugation of women. Many influencers promote these ideologies which are followed by adults, young adults and even children.

One prominent example is Andrew Tate who is a social media personality known for advocating misogynistic views. Tate’s content emphasizes male dominance and has been linked to an increase in aggressive behaviors among young men, including reports of harmful sexual practices influenced by his rhetoric. Similarly, fitness influencer Ashton Hall has been criticized for promoting toxic masculinity. His content, which includes rigid routines and portrays women in subservient roles, subtly reinforces conservative gender roles under the guise of wellness and productivity. 

Throughout the show we see that Jamie mainly idolizes his father (Eddie), who embodies traditional notions of masculinity, emphasizing resilience and stoicism. He consistently attempts to impress Eddie, yearning for acknowledgment and pride. It shows how the role of a parental figure and the relationship between them is so important in building a child’s mind. However, Eddie’s reserved nature and adherence to traditional masculine ideals create a barrier to open emotional expression. This lack of overt affirmation leaves Jamie feeling isolated and misunderstood.​The lack of open communication and emotional support from Eddie contributes to Jamie’s sense of isolation. In his quest for belonging and understanding, Jamie turns to online communities that propagate toxic masculinity and misogyny. 

Jamie’s parents being unaware of his online activities emphasizes the importance of parental engagement in adolescents’ digital lives and the potential dangers of unchecked internet exposure. 

The themes presented in “Adolescence” resonate with real-world concerns about the mental health of teenagers in the digital age. The series has prompted discussions among its audience which includes parents, educators, and policymakers about the necessity of monitoring and guiding adolescents’ online interactions. In response to the issues raised, initiatives have been proposed to screen “Adolescence” in schools to foster conversations about toxic online cultures and their impact on youth.

With the internet, today’s youth are highly prone to misinformation as anyone on the internet can become an influencer and create communities following a single ideology which could be a false belief. The series emphasizes the urgent need for supportive environments that promote open communication, critical media literacy, and healthy conceptions of masculinity. Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort from families, educational institutions, and society at large to ensure that adolescents are equipped to navigate the multifaceted pressures of modern life.