Youth violence: what can Adolescence teach us?
Released in March, the British crime drama Adolescence about a 13-year-old called Jamie who murders a classmate takes a disturbing look at violence among young people and the impact of social media. The UK government has announced that the Netflix production will be shown and discussed in schools across the country. Europe's media take up the debate.
A first step towards more safety
The decision to show the series in schools needs to be embedded in a wider strategy, says The Independent:
“Jamie is not neglected or abused - he comes from a loving family. His actions are instead the result of extreme online misogyny, targeting boys every time they look at their phone or turn on their computer. Young boys are being radicalised under our noses and Jamie's plight - as well as that of his victim, Katie - shows just how dangerous this can be. ... Bringing the series into schools is a key, positive project that capitalises on the incredible awareness the series has raised. But it must be the first step in a comprehensive plan of funding, resource and expertise, implemented as urgently as any other threat to our children's safety.”
Starmer desperate for good headlines
The Spectator comments:
“The decision to show it in schools feels less like a considered plan and more like a knee-jerk reaction to a media bandwagon. ... there's no sign of any plans to make sure it works well. How will teachers make sure that Adolescence doesn't further stigmatise boys who are already vulnerable? Are staff and parents being prepared for how this dark show will affect the impressionable minds of their children? ... Watching scary dramas is unlikely to help kids' mental health. Starmer is desperate for some good headlines and Netflix obviously wants more hype for its content. But if the PM found the series 'harrowing', why is he so blasé about showing it to others?”
At least we're talking and reflecting
The series has at least prompted people to think about the younger generation, Protagon puts in:
“They breathe in toxicity, cruelty and savagery from all sides. ... An impassive wildness. From the wildest, most horrific cartoons to toxic social media that create role models and mock all values. ... But Little Red Riding Hood was also a wild horror story. Why didn't we perceive it as such? ... And now, suddenly, we're talking. Or at least more than we did before. We're reflecting. Again, more than before. And we look differently at the closed door of his or her room, because we've been given a reason to do so. Adolescence has given us that.”
Break through the rigid dynamic
This series should give parents food for thought, says Sol:
“Loneliness, complexes, insecurity and a sense of pointlessness are spreading like weeds among this generation. ... We're not really close to each other. We don't get to know each other, we don't create common habits and we unconsciously allow the daily dynamics to cease to be dynamic. ... If there is no daily interaction, no conversations, no discussions, no conflicts, and if boundaries are not set in controlled environments such as our homes and within our families, then these experiences are gathered outside this environment and in an uncontrolled manner.”
Banning phones is not the way to go
Magyar Hang writes:
“The Netflix series shows how simple the formula is: you need to be there for each other. Respect your child so that they respect you. Listen to them about what they like and what they're good at, and don't force them to do what we consider socially acceptable. ... You have to talk to each other, like Detective Bascombe and his son do at the end of episode two. ... Anyone who thinks that all you have to do to make things right is take the device away from a teenager hasn't understood the first thing. And anyone who thinks that you can corner a teenager with cross-examinations to find out everything about his feelings hasn't understood much about what it means to be a feeling human being.”