Aside from becoming a global hit, Netflix’s new show Adolescence is bringing up less spoken-about topics while resurfacing an old discourse: How can we trust children in the era of social media, and most of all, how do we control what they view?
Adolescence follows Jamie, a 13-year-old boy who murders his schoolmate Katie after she rejects his offer to hang out. The rejection engulfs him as he stabs Katie in a fit of rage. In fact, throughout the show, the audience learns Jamie’s anger is not directed just towards Katie, but also towards women in general, and his deep-seated inferiority complex towards them.
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The series has raised concerns among parents, especially since the character Jamie had a stable upbringing, living with his father, the breadwinner, mother, and older sister. So clearly, a dysfunctional home life could not have triggered his behaviour. In the show, he is known to have Instagram, and it is here where the problem begins.
In addition to rejecting Jamie, it is revealed that Katie was also cyberbullying him, indirectly calling him an “incel”, i.e.: involuntary celibate, a term used by men when they believe they cannot physically attract women. While cyberbullying has been a long-discussed topic (as it should be), Jamie’s misogynistic views towards the opposite gender are slightly more than concerning, especially at such a young age.
Men who believe themselves to be incels have found an online community today. The 2021 Plymouth shooting has also been linked to this group. Adolescence has put parents on guard, especially concerning kids who are going through puberty, a formative part in human development where their body changes and mindset shifts, a perfect time to attack their at-the-time malleable brains with negative content.
Does this call for social media detox?
Social media is a crutch for the people, not just for Gen-Z but for everyone living in the 21st century. To separate the two would be abysmal, but occasional breaks could certainly be beneficial. When it comes to children, many researchers believe that it is unwise to let them have full range social media exposure, and if they do, their activity should be monitored.
In 2023, a social media advisory was released by the United States Surgeon General. It states that social media has an immense impact on the mental health of children and adolescents, with a greater effect on the learning and emotional factors of the brain. It can also affect social behaviour, impulse control, and emotional regulations and how the children view social punishments and rewards.
That being said, a social media detox can come in handy. Proper regulation of online presence can strengthen mental health and foster positive thinking or like the Gen-Z like to call it, “touch grass”.
