Netflix’s gripping four-part mini-series, Adolescence, has quickly become a cultural touchstone in early 2025. Set in Britain, the show centers on a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a female schoolmate, but its impact resonates far beyond a simple crime drama.It’s a stark exploration of the toxic masculinity festering in online spaces and its insidious influence on young minds, a phenomenon increasingly concerning to parents and educators across the United States.

The series has sparked intense conversations. In a recent discussion on the podcast Commotion, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud along with TV critic Aramide Tinubu and culture writer Amil Niazi delved into the show’s complex themes.

Abdelmahmoud pointed out the narrative’s intentional focus: “The show is positioned, and maybe advertised a little bit, as a regular police procedural. But this is a show about a murder and a suspect, and you do not get much centering of the victim… The show is so focused — so intently focused — on the accused and then the impacts on his group of friends, family, community.”

This narrative choice, while potentially controversial, serves a crucial purpose. As Niazi explained, “You have to empathize with this young boy and his family. You have to see him as normal… in order for you to understand the gravity of what’s happening to these young men… adults are not in the know… And so they want you to feel like you could be this boy’s parent, and you need to see him as normal to understand that this type of misogyny lives amongst all of us.”

The Manosphere’s Grip: A Growing Concern in the U.S.

adolescence doesn’t shy away from depicting the online radicalization of its young protagonist. The series touches upon figures like Andrew Tate, whose controversial views have found a disturbingly large audience among young men, and the broader “incel universe” – a subculture fueled by resentment and misogyny.

This is not a problem confined to Britain. In the United States, the rise of the “manosphere” – a network of websites, forums, and social media groups promoting misogynistic ideologies – is a growing concern. These online communities can act as echo chambers, reinforcing harmful beliefs and potentially leading to real-world violence. According to a 2024 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of active hate groups in the U.S. with a focus on male supremacy has increased by 20% over the past five years.

Parenting in the Digital Age: navigating the Minefield

The panelists on Commotion emphasized the crucial role of parents and the wider community in safeguarding young people from harmful online influences.

Tinubu questioned, “How are we speaking to our kids? Are we putting guardrails on things like social media?” She added, “These kids just have way to much access… here in the States, we have gun violence and things of that nature, but they’re unsafe in so many other ways. So I’m hoping that people do begin bridging the gap.”

the challenge for parents is immense. Many feel ill-equipped to navigate the complex online world their children inhabit.They may not understand the language, the platforms, or the influencers that hold sway over their teens.

One practical application is open interaction. Experts recommend creating a safe space for children to discuss what they encounter online without fear of judgment.Active listening and asking open-ended questions can help parents understand their children’s perspectives and identify potential red flags.

Another crucial step is setting boundaries. Just as parents limit exposure to violent television or age-inappropriate content, they need to establish guidelines for social media use. This might include limiting screen time, monitoring online activity, and encouraging critical thinking about the information encountered online.

Addressing Counterarguments: Free Speech vs. Harmful Content

Some argue that restricting access to online content infringes on free speech. However, this argument often overlooks the potential harm that misogynistic and extremist ideologies can inflict, particularly on vulnerable young minds. The First Amendment protects freedom of expression, but it doesn’t shield speech that incites violence or promotes discrimination.

Furthermore, platforms like YouTube and TikTok have a responsibility to moderate content and prevent the spread of harmful material. While algorithm-based moderation systems have improved, they are frequently enough insufficient to address the nuances of online radicalization. Human oversight and proactive intervention are crucial to creating safer online environments.

Rebuilding a Healthier Future

Tinubu offered a powerful analogy: “I’m of the mindset that this is kind of like the fall of an empire, were we’re sitting right now. I think if you fall, you can rebuild — and hopefully we can rebuild in a much better and healthier way.”

This rebuilding requires a multi-pronged approach. It involves:

• empowering girls and women: Promoting gender equality and challenging traditional gender roles is essential to counter misogynistic narratives.
• Educating boys and men: Providing positive role models and fostering healthy masculinity can definitely help boys and men develop respect for themselves and others.
• Strengthening media literacy: Teaching young people how to critically evaluate online information and identify misinformation is crucial in the digital age.
• Holding social media platforms accountable: Pressuring platforms to moderate content and prevent the spread of harmful ideologies is essential to creating safer online spaces.

Adolescence serves as a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that the online world is not a separate reality, but an extension of our own. The challenges we face in the digital age require a collective effort – from parents and educators to policymakers and tech companies – to create a safer and more equitable future for all young people.