Fifteen-year-old Ben finds it uncomfortable discussing his sexual feelings with his parents, Sophie and Martin. The family, excluding Ben’s younger sister, gathers in the living room to analyze the popular Netflix series, Adolescence. The show revolves around 13-year-old Jamie, who is accused of murdering a female peer after being exposed to misogynistic online content and cyberbullying. Concerned about the impact of such material on Ben and reflecting on the common themes, the family decides to watch the program together, allowing BBC News to observe their conversation.
Ben’s parents have observed changes in his behavior possibly influenced by the content he is exposed to online. Ben, trying to regulate his phone usage, sat down with his parents to discuss the show’s themes. While watching the show, Ben mentions his familiarity with certain aspects depicted, such as school fights and cyberbullying. However, he notes that the portrayal of teenager life in the series might not fully capture the reality of being a teenager today. Ben believes that the show targets adults rather than teenagers and lacks a comprehensive view of social media, portraying only its dangers without highlighting its positive aspects.
In the show, Jamie and his peers adopt language associated with the “manosphere” and incel culture. Despite references to influencers like Andrew Tate, Ben indicates that such figures are no longer as prevalent amongst his peers. Tate’s combination of health advice with far-right ideas is noted by Ben, who highlights the discrepancy in Tate’s messages. Ben and his parents agree that Tate is symptomatic of broader social issues rather than a cause of misogyny. The family debate the concept of friendship between boys and girls, considering the distance and impersonality in Ben’s interactions with girls, largely influenced by social media.
The topic of sharing intimate images and pornography is also broached, reflecting issues faced by teenagers today. Ben expresses concern about the prevalence of pornography and disturbing content online among his peers. The family discusses strategies to mitigate the negative effects of online content, emphasizing the importance of broader societal participation and self-esteem building among young people. Both parents recognize the collective responsibility of tech companies, government, schools, and families in providing a positive alternative to harmful influences online
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