Adolescence: A cautionary tale of social media’s dark influence

Jamie Miller is an average teenage boy who can disappear for hours playing video games in his dark room. He has good grades and shares "fun" and "silly" photos on Instagram with his two close friends. 

But looks can be deceiving, because Jamie also has to stand on trial for the murder of Katie Leonard

The limited series 'Adolescence' tells the story of Jamie Miller, a boy just like any other, navigating between childhood and the internet—leading to actions that have devastating consequences. The series is more than just a cautionary tale; it's a cry for help.

From the get go, we know that Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) stabbed his classmate, Katie Leonard (Emilia Holliday), seven times, killing her. A 13-year-old taking the life of another child is shocking, but the series isn't about how he did it—it's about why. 

From the very first episode, the show holds up two images of Jamie, one showing his naivety as a child, and the other side that is brainwashed by the internet, taking away his sense of accountability. 

When the police swarm his room, Jamie calls out to his father, repeatedly insisting, "I didn't do anything wrong." In his mind, he sees no fault in his actions, convinced that Katie got what she deserved.  But as he calls out to his father, it also draws you back to the reality of how Jamie is still a child. 

Social media itself becomes a character in the series as it provides the perfect, unmonitored space for children like Jamie to be led astray. It leads to questions such as, how a 13-year-old is allowed to access social media legally, but the space itself remains unsafe for young children. 

Social media  is where Jamie's story begins. Katie left comments under Jamie's photos, calling him an "incel"—a term popularised by self-proclaimed "alpha male" influencers on the internet. These figures amass millions of views, spreading toxic ideologies.

Children absorb and internalise these messages without question and Jamie, too, consumes such content. He shares photos of half-naked women in his stories while simultaneously leaving derogatory comments under their posts.  

Jamie is a product of social media's darker corners. He grows up watching men objectify women, belittle them, and preach about becoming an "alpha male" rather than a "simp" (internet slang for simpleton or an overly submissive individual). 

In this worldview, men who struggle with relationships are labeled "incels." Jamie, a 13-year-old who should be focused on school and friendships, is instead preoccupied with curating a popular online persona and "getting with girls" because that's what the internet has told him he must do.  

The series raises urgent questions about child safety online. The social media algorithms that dictate what young users see lack safeguards with no real system in place to filter out harmful content for impressionable teenagers.  

The third episode exposes Jamie's fractured psyche and the death of his childhood innocence. He convinces himself that because Katie left cruel comments, she was a terrible person. When she rejected him—especially after facing school-wide humiliation over her personal photos being leaked—Jamie saw an opportunity. 

He believed she was vulnerable enough to accept him, but when she laughed and said, "I'm not that desperate," He perceived it as the ultimate betrayal and it became his justification for revenge.  

Jamie's behavior in this episode is chilling. He lashes out at his psychiatrist, shifting between friendliness and intimidation. He attempts to manipulate her, playing mind games, revealing glimpses of the innocent child he once was—before fully morphing into someone fueled by insecurity and entitlement.  

The series also highlights the evolving nature of parenting. At first glance, Jamie's family seems unremarkable. His father struggles with anger issues, which his mother and sister tolerate silently. Jamie idolises his father while showing little regard for his mother or sister.  

A pivotal conversation unfolds between Jamie's parents. His father argues that "all kids are watching this stuff these days—we can't possibly monitor everything." 

His mother, however, insists that they should have been more present in his life. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, but the show makes a clear statement: absence leaves room for dangerous influences. 

Jamie and his sister Lisa (Amélie Pease) are a testament to this as they were raised in the same house, yet turned out completely different.

'Adolescence' brilliantly dissects the toxic messages embedded in online spaces, exposing how easily teenagers absorb harmful ideologies. It raises urgent concerns about the safety of young girls, the mentality of young boys, and the crucial need for greater parental and educational involvement in guiding them. The cinematography and performances elevate the series, making its themes even more impactful.  

The show has sparked discussions all over the globe, but it has also drawn out a disturbing segment of social media—the ones who support Jamie's actions. Like Jamie himself, they believe he was justified. This reaction only underscores the urgency of the series' message: young people must be protected from these influences before it's too late.  

In just four episodes, Adolescence pushes viewers to look around and question not just society but also themselves. How much has social media already shaped the way we think? And how much worse could it get?