Netflix’s latest drama Adolescence has sparked intense discussions across various platforms, from British Parliament to American talk shows, and even at school gates where parents and teachers are now engaging in serious conversations.
The series, which delves into the tragic story of a 13-year-old boy accused of stabbing a girl, explores the underlying influences that may have shaped his violent behavior. It has struck a nerve with audiences, leading to widespread debates on issues affecting young people today.
Screenwriter Jack Thorne, the creative force behind the show, has been overwhelmed by the response. He has received messages from people he hasn’t heard from in years, all sharing how the series has prompted deep conversations with their children.
One particularly striking moment for him was when his son’s headteacher stopped him at the school gates to discuss the show’s themes and how schools might address the concerns raised. For Thorne, the fact that these discussions are happening in real time is immensely rewarding.
The show has also inspired Thorne to call for radical governmental action to address the critical issues it highlights. Among his main concerns are the impact of social media and the rising influence of incel (involuntary celibate) culture.
This online subculture fosters resentment toward women and promotes harmful ideologies, which can deeply affect young boys searching for a sense of belonging.
According to Thorne, this isn’t the sole focus of the drama, but it plays a crucial role in shaping the protagonist’s perspective.
The show’s main character, Jamie, is portrayed as a boy influenced by multiple factors—his home life, school environment, and peer interactions.
However, one of the most damaging elements in his life is social media, where he is bullied and exposed to dangerous messaging about gender and violence. These toxic narratives make him feel isolated, feeding into his vulnerability.
Thorne explains that Jamie absorbs these ideas without fully understanding their implications, eventually leading him down a dark path.
To craft Jamie’s story authentically, Thorne immersed himself in the digital spaces that propagate these harmful ideologies.
He explored platforms like 4Chan and Reddit, discovering that damaging narratives were not limited to well-known figures like Andrew Tate but were deeply embedded in everyday online interactions.
Even casual discussions about video games contained underlying messages that painted women as the enemy, subtly reinforcing dangerous beliefs.
The timing of Adolescence aligns with broader societal concerns about the impact of online influence on young men. Just this week, former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate made a powerful speech condemning manipulative and toxic influencers who prey on vulnerable boys.
He urged society to provide better role models, emphasizing the importance of guiding young men toward healthier perspectives.
While Thorne agrees that role models are essential, he argues that the problem runs much deeper. He believes society has been discussing this issue for decades without implementing real change.
For him, the focus should not just be on offering better role models but on transforming the culture that allows harmful ideologies to flourish.
He emphasizes that technology and digital spaces must be regulated to prevent such destructive influences from shaping young minds.
The call for action has reached the highest levels of government, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledging Adolescence and watching it with his teenage children.
Starmer described the violence influenced by online content as “abhorrent” and a problem that must be tackled both through law and cultural shifts. Thorne sees this as an opportunity for policymakers to recognize the crisis occurring in schools and take decisive action to protect young people.
One of Thorne’s most urgent recommendations is implementing a smartphone ban in schools, alongside stricter digital age restrictions.
He points to Australia’s new law prohibiting children under 16 from using social media as a potential model for the UK. Expanding such measures to cover smartphone use and gaming could further safeguard young minds from exposure to harmful ideologies.
Thorne argues that children must be protected from the “pernicious disease” of toxic online messaging. He believes that separating young people from these negative influences is the only way to prevent the normalization of harmful beliefs.
However, such a proposal is bound to face resistance, especially from teenagers who have grown up in the digital age and see social media as a fundamental part of their lives.
His appearance on BBC Newsnight highlighted this divide. When asked about banning social media for those under 16, three young men in their late teens and early twenties offered differing opinions.
One felt the idea had merit but needed careful implementation, another viewed it as unfair, while the third argued that social media has also provided valuable opportunities for young people.
For Thorne, this debate is not just academic—it is personal. As a father, he is acutely aware that his own son, now eight, will soon be at an age where he wants a phone and access to social media.
Writing Adolescence has made him reflect deeply on how to navigate this reality as a parent. He wants to establish open communication with his son while ensuring he is protected from the digital dangers that the show explores.
The insights he gained during the research process have only reinforced his concerns. He has seen firsthand how the internet can manipulate vulnerable young minds, making it all the more urgent to find solutions.
While he doesn’t claim to have all the answers, he is determined to keep pushing for change that goes beyond superficial fixes.
Ultimately, Thorne believes that society must face this challenge head-on. Ignoring it will only allow the problem to grow, putting more young people at risk.
He hopes Adolescence serves as a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers alike, urging them to take bold steps toward safeguarding the next generation.
