Adolescence
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Exploring Adolescence: BSU academics respond to the latest Netflix phenomenon
Wednesday, 2 April, 2025Adolescence, the four-part Netflix series which premiered on 13 March, has become a cultural phenomenon. Since its release, the show has garnered rave reviews, been name-dropped by the Prime Minister, and praised for its standout performances, engaging storytelling and stunning cinematography – with each episode being shot in one continuous take.
The show – which tells the story of a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of his female classmate – has also sparked conversations around masculinity, online radicalisation, violence against women and girls, bullying, phone and social media culture and how we can better protect young people.
We spoke with two experts from our BSU community to get their unique insights into the show.
Lost boys in the manosphere
Dr Rebecca Feasey, Subject Leader in Media and Critical Studies and author of Masculinity and Popular Television, described the series as a “thoughtful, persuasive and carefully considered drama,” beautifully shot, with subtle yet powerful performances. As a feminist media theorist and scholar, her attention was also drawn to the depictions of toxic masculinity – often hidden in plain sight.
Feminist sociologist Raewyn Connell coined the term ‘hegemonic masculinity’ to help make sense of the patriarchal status quo in society, with competitive, individualist and aggressive men dominating our culture.
Rebecca explained:
“These men were said to be strong, successful, capable and authoritative figures who derived their reputation from the workplace and self-esteem from the public sphere, with little empathy, emotional intelligence or connection within or beyond the domestic arena.”
Rebecca said the rise of social media influencers such as Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson and Adin Ross, incel culture, the manosphere and what is commonly referred to as the ‘red pill’ movement, seem to have only further embedded these ideas, with hypermasculine influencers becoming role models for boys and young men who feel adrift in a world that ostensibly promised them power and privilege.
“The concern then – as it remains now – is that these men are held up as role models of masculinity to aspire to rather than toxic iterations of manhood to be critiqued and challenged,” she said.
Aired in the same month as Sir Gareth Southgate’s Dimbleby lecture and The Centre for Social Justice’s ‘Lost Boys: State of the Nation’ report, which both dealt with questions of contemporary boyhood, appropriate role models and the very real threat of incel ideology, Adolescence has touched the zeitgeist, exposing the ways in which central protagonist Jamie (Owen Cooper) and his peers seek advice relating to sex, relationships and their place in the world.
The show is significant for raising awareness of the growing incel ideology, the red pill movement and the manosphere, but Rebecca feels that it serves as a jumping off point, and that more can – and should – be done:
“The programme may well encourage discussion, but I would hope to see a more tangible legacy in increased funding for youth work, charities and networks working to offer security, certainty and support for our boys and girls from the impacts of the ‘red pill’ movement.
“No one wins when incel ideologies take hold. Everybody loses; not just girls and women, but also future generations of lost boys.”
‘Kids and their phones’
Adolescence also examines the seeming ubiquity of phones and inescapable social media culture, and how this affects not only young people – but also their parents, who struggle to understand the world their kids are inhabiting.
Pete Etchells, Professor of Psychology and Science Communication and author of Unlocked: The Real Science of Screentime appreciated the way Adolescence shines a light on the complexity and nuance surrounding the debate about screens and young people.
Explaining further, he said:
“There are no simple stories when it comes to understanding how digital technology impacts our lives, which means that our approach to it has to be considered and thoughtful. While Adolescence is a fictional dramatisation meant to provoke an emotional response (so try not to panic about it!), for me it highlights the importance of having open and honest conversations about our digital habits, behaviours and interactions.”
Young people aren’t the only ones who find it difficult to resist the lure of their phones; adults spend plenty of time on their phones as well and aren’t immune to the pull of social media and doomscrolling. But our phones can also enhance our lives and help us connect, whether that’s literally using them to communicate, or in more subtle ways – like explaining emojis to your dad, or queuing up an old song during a car journey and reminiscing about the past.
Pete said:
“[Balancing phone use and our mental health] is something that we all struggle with – our phones never came with a training manual about how to use them in the best way to support our wellbeing. But it's never too late to make a positive change.
“By modelling positive, appropriate and responsible technology use and talking openly about both its benefits and risks, we can help the next generation develop a more balanced and resilient relationship with their online worlds.”
If you’ve been affected by any of the themes discussed here, help is available from the University’s Wellbeing Services.