A 13-year-old—just a child—accused of something unthinkable. And the scariest part? He wasn’t a “bad kid.” He was just like any other teenager who had isolated himself in the room, while his parents, like so many of us, believed he was safe. The show Adolescence on Netflix made me question everything.
Are we keeping up with our kids’ digital lives? Are we catching the red flags? Are we even having the right conversations?
I set rules, I taught them right from wrong, and I believed I was doing everything right. But watching Adolescence shook me to my core.
Every episode is a reflection of the times we are living in as parents, educators and all stakeholders raising our children today.
We’re all well-being parents. But are we able to keep up with our child’s digital life?
The story begins with a 13-year-old boy, Jamie, who lived in isolation in his room and spent his day scrolling online. He is arrested in front of his family for the murder of one of his classmates, a girl called Katie. What follows is a chilling chain of events that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
In the show, just like us, the parents aren’t bad or neglectful – they’re doing their best. So, where did it all go so horribly wrong? We’re still clinging to old-school parenting. But let’s face it-it’s failing us.
Kids are drowning in unlimited information and outside influences from their screens, and we’re struggling to keep up. As a parent, I don’t want to fall into the trap of trying to “fix” my child. I want to understand her—how she feels, thinks, and functions.
Watching this made me pause and reflect.
What Is Going Through Your Tween/ Teenager’s Mind?
Adolescence is more than a crime drama; it’s about the challenges facing today’s youth and a compelling reminder of the pivotal role parents play in guiding their children’s development in an increasingly complex world.
What Should We Do As Parents?
- We need to learn how to co-consume. and co-exist in their online world. Parents should be aware of the content their children consume and the communities they engage with online.
- The series highlights the consequences of emotional distance between parents and children. Create a safe space where your child feels comfortable sharing their online experiences without fear of judgment or punishment.
- Keep up with digital trends, social media apps. and online challenges so you understand the platforms your child is using.
- Instead of outright banning apps, discuss limits together, such as screen time, privacy settings, and online etiquette.
- Help kids analyse online content, recognise misinformation, and understand the impact of peer influence.
- Show responsible screen habits yourself – children learn from observing how you interact with technology.
- Behavioural changes, such as increased secrecy, hostility, or the use of derogatory language, may indicate exposure to harmful ideologies. Early intervention is key to addressing these issues before they escalate.
Don’t Blame Your Kids Only
Symptoms of Dysregulation:
Some things that parents don’t even identify with. They are totally unaware of it and label it as a tantrum.
- Easily irritable and impatient
- Overstimulation that impacts sleep
- Building of Anxiety
- No control over emotional outbursts
- If you brush this off,
- “Just a kid…”
- You are wrong.
KSP Team
KSP Team
Mansi Zaveri
Janani S Koushik
Mansi Zaveri
Rati Ramadas Girish
