British Crime Series Adolescence Sheds Light on The Negative Impacts of Social Media Culture Today

The mini television series Adolescence premiered on Netflix on March 13, 2025. It delves deep into the relationship between impressionable teenagers and social media. The four-part series has been receiving a lot of positive reviews from viewers since its premiere. Many believe that the theme of the show is highly relevant in today's society. The series is directed by Philip Barantini and written and created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham.

The series shows how addiction to social media and midnight chat room sessions psychologically impact teenagers. It highlights the extreme extent to which the virtual world can negatively affect children and how it can be a dangerous platform for cyberbullying. The show sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by vulnerable teenagers today.

The show's writer, Jack Thorne, said, “I want it to be shown in schools, I want it to be shown in Parliament. It's crucial because this is only going to get worse. It's something that people need to be talking about. Hopefully, that's what drama can do.”

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, agrees and supports Jack Thorne’s idea of screening the series in schools and Parliament. He has expressed growing concern over the increasing prevalence of online misogynistic and violent behavior.

The story revolves around a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who has been arrested for the murder of his female classmate. The performances of Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham (who plays Jamie’s father), and Erin Doherty (who plays a psychologist) have been particularly praised.

Watch trailer below: