The new TV drama “Adolescence” is taking the world by storm — and opening some serious conversations about online misogyny and violence. Since its release on Netflix on March 13, the four-episode British series has been watched by over 96 million viewers worldwide.
“Adolescence” begins with a shocking scene: armed police raiding the home of a terrified 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a young girl. As the series unfolds, it paints a heartbreaking picture of the boy’s broken family and how easily violence can creep into young lives. Each hour-long episode is shot in one continuous take, pulling viewers deeper into a story that feels all too real.
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What makes “Adolescence” stand out is how it tackles the dark side of the internet — particularly the manosphere, a toxic online world where teenage boys’ insecurities about dating and self-image can twist into anger and hatred toward women.
“There are people who will watch and say, ‘That boy couldn’t do that.’ But the point is — he can,” said Susie McDonald, CEO of the charity Tender, which teaches healthy relationship skills.
“Once we accept that possibility, we can finally ask — what can we do to stop it?”
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The show quickly shot to number one in Netflix’s global Top 10, topping charts everywhere from Brazil to Bahrain.
Although it’s a British story on the surface, critics say its themes are global.
“What our children are doing online — and what they’re exposed to — matters everywhere, from America to India to Australia,” film critic Kaleem Aftab told Reuters.
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The show has already made a big impact:
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In Portugal, police created a guide to help parents decode the secret meanings of emojis — a key element in the show’s plot.
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In Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald published advice for parents on how to talk to kids more effectively than the fictional parents in the series.
British police have also issued warnings, encouraging parents to watch for signs of online radicalization. Alarmingly, 60% of young people referred to the U.K.’s terrorism prevention system are 17 or younger.
“Adolescence” even made its way into the halls of power:
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed he watched the series with his teenage children, describing it as both “harrowing” and “essential.”
The show’s powerful message is clear — it’s time to pay closer attention to what’s happening in young people’s lives online before it’s too late.