Adolescence in the Digital Age

The hot new Netflix show has captured our attention. Now let's talk about how to react.

When I first heard about the Netflix miniseries Adolescence, it was from concerned parents and colleagues. They spoke about how unsettling it was, how it struck a nerve about the digital world our children are growing up in. I had every intention of watching the series because of the feedback I was receiving as well as all the online reviews I had read. I decided to watch all 4 episodes in one sitting and what I saw shook me. It wasn’t just a TV show; it was our reality. I started researching the themes it explores to better understand this new digital world that keeps evolving, and I realised the deep implications it has for our children and our community.  

The Evolution of Cyberbullying 

Bullying has changed. It’s no longer just name-calling in the hallways or playground roughhousing. Today’s bullying is digital, subtle, and incredibly harmful. Our children are not just dealing with direct insults; they are navigating a coded world where emojis, colours, and specific phrases carry hidden meanings that can have dangerous implications. A simple group chat can turn into a battleground, where exclusion and humiliation happen in ways we, as adults, may struggle to detect. 

Unlike in the past, where school was a place children could escape bullying from the neighbourhood, the online world means there is no escape. It follows them home, into their bedrooms, into their most private spaces. And the worst part? Many of us don’t even know it’s happening. 

The Rise of Radicalisation and the “Manosphere” 

One of the most terrifying aspects of Adolescence is its portrayal of Jamie, a seemingly ordinary teenager who is drawn into the toxic online “manosphere.” This space is filled with influencers and forums that prey on young men’s insecurities, feeding them misogynistic and extremist ideologies. They convince boys that women are the enemy, that society is rigged against them, and that they are justified in their anger. 

Many of these groups use the term “incel” (involuntary celibate) to describe themselves, boys and men, who feel rejected by women and believe they are owed attention and affection. These spaces provide a false sense of belonging, reinforcing harmful ideas like the “80/20 rule” (the belief that only 20% of men are desirable to 80% of women) and pushing them further into resentment. For some, this leads to anger, isolation, and in the most extreme cases, violence. 

Jamie’s story is disturbing because it’s not an exaggeration. It’s real. And it’s happening to children who, on the surface, seem just like everyone else. They are well-behaved, polite, and high achieving, until the darkness they’ve been consuming online starts to affect them. 

This divide, fueled by social media algorithms, makes young people more susceptible to extreme viewpoints. The lack of nuance in online spaces forces teens to align with one side or the other, often without fully understanding the ideologies they are embracing. This is how radicalisation happens—not all at once, but gradually, through small, seemingly harmless interactions online.

The situation with Andrew Tate is a prime example of how toxic ideologies spread online. A few years ago, he rose to fame by promoting misogynistic views under the guise of self-improvement, amassing millions of followers, many of them impressionable teenage boys. Despite the backlash and legal troubles, he has faced, his influence remains, as Adolescence and other recent films and shows illustrate. His rhetoric, and that of others like him, continues to spread in online spaces, normalising harmful beliefs and reinforcing the sense of victimhood that draws young men into extremist communities. 

What Can We Do as a School and a Community? 

As educators, we try our best to do what we can at school. We teach digital literacy, raise awareness, and create safe spaces for discussions. But we need your help.  

As parents, you are the first and most important line of defence. You are the ones buying the phones, paying for internet access, and allowing devices in bedrooms. We need to work together to protect our children from the dangers they don’t always see coming. 

Here’s how you can help: 

1. Monitor Your Child’s Online Activity – This doesn’t mean spying on them, but it does mean being involved. Ask them about the apps they use, the people they talk to, and the content they consume. If they are reluctant to share, that’s a sign to dig deeper. 
2. Encourage Open Conversations – Make your home a place where your child feels safe talking about their online experiences. If they see something that makes them uncomfortable, they should feel able to come to you without fear of judgment or punishment. 
3. Set Boundaries with Devices – We strongly encourage parents to limit phone use at home, especially at night. No child needs to be on their phone at 2 AM. Set rules about where and when devices can be used. If rules are put in place about no phones in bedrooms or after lights-out, it’s important to lead by example and follow these same boundaries. 
4. Support Phone-Free School Policies – Phones at school are a distraction, and in many cases, a direct link to the toxic online culture we are trying to protect them from. Encourage your child to leave their phone in their bag or at home during school hours. 
5. Teach Digital Resilience – Help your child develop critical thinking skills when it comes to online content. Just because someone says it on YouTube or TikTok doesn’t make it true. Teach them to question extreme narratives and recognize when they are being manipulated. 
6. Promote Healthy Masculinity – If you are raising a son, talk to him about what it means to be a good man. Challenge the toxic messages that tell boys they need to dominate or control others. Show them that strength comes from respect, kindness, and emotional intelligence. 
7. Familiarise Yourself with Teen Apps and Trends – One of the best ways to bridge the gap between you and your child’s online world is to understand it. Download and explore the apps and sites they use so they feel less foreign and intimidating. Australia’s federal government's Algorithm of Disrespect resource is a great place to start. 
8. Be Curious, Not Reactive – If your child says something concerning, resist the urge to react angrily. Instead, ask them to explain: “Wow, that’s an interesting thing to say. What do you mean by that?” This opens discussion rather than shutting it down. If teens feel judged, they may retreat further into these online spaces for validation. 
9. Watch and Discuss Adolescence Together – While the show may not be suitable for all teenagers, watching it as a family and discussing its themes can lead to meaningful conversations. A simple approach could be: “Hey, I heard about this show. I’d love to watch it with you and hear your thoughts.” 

Bridging the Gap Before It’s Too Late 

One of the hardest things for us parents to accept is that we might not truly know what’s going on in our children’s digital life. Adolescence highlights the painful reality of parents who, despite their best efforts, never saw the warning signs. We don’t want that to happen in our community. 

The internet is not inherently evil, but it is unregulated, unpredictable, and often ruthless. As a school, we are committed to educating students about digital dangers, but this conversation must continue at home. We cannot do this alone. 

We urge you to take this seriously. Talk to your child. Set boundaries. Be present. The most dangerous thing we can do is assume that this won’t happen to us. 

Together, we can create a safer, healthier digital world for our children. 

Join us for a special Partnership with Parents event designed to address the important topic of online safety on 30th April 2025, featuring psychologist and cyber crimes expert Dr. George Nakos from the Hellenic Police.

Click HERE to learn more and register your interest.

References 

Cantrell, K., & Hopkins, S. (2025, March 18). Adolescence is a technical masterpiece that exposes the darkest corners of incel culture and male rage. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/adolescence-is-a-technical-masterpiece-that-exposes-the-darkest-corners-of-incel-culture-and-male-rage-252390 

Rasker, R. (2025, March 19). The truth behind Adolescence, the new Netflix series exploring incels and Andrew-Tate-style misogyny. Abc.net.au; ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-20/adolescence-netflix-manosphere-incel-jamie-crime/105066666 

‌The Algorithm of DisrespectTM | Respect.gov.au - Violence against women. Let’s stop it at the start. (2024). Respect.gov.au. https://www.respect.gov.au/algorithm-of-disrespect 

Waxman, O. B. (2025, March 13). How Netflix’s Gripping Adolescence Takes on the Dark World of Incels. TIME; Time. https://time.com/7267884/adolescence-netflix-explained/ 

Willingham, A. J. (2023, March 16). What does the term “incel” mean? CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/16/us/incel-involuntary-celibate-explained-cec/index.html 

‌