Adolescence series sparks conversations on modern parenting

Inspired by true events, "Adolescence" traces the thoughts and actions of a teenager in modern Britain. Delving deep into the psyche of the protagonist, this show brings out the severity of unregulated internet usage on impressionable minds and how this is shaping the way society is functioning at large.

On the surface, it seems innocuous enough. Just another thirteen-year-old with a smartphone trying to make sense of the world around him, leaning heavily on, well, social media and the internet. And then, as one peels off the layers, shocking revelations emerge!

Jamie Miller, the protagonist, is looking for guidance and support in navigating his emotions and understanding of the world around him. When he finds none, Miller turns to motivational speakers such as Andrew Tate and the likes of him to shape his ideas regarding the opposite sex and how to tackle his feelings about them.

What is extremely disturbing is that an entire generation of youth is depending on such volatile individuals with zero credibility for emotional guidance. Before "Adolescence" aired, there was not much dialogue surrounding the trend. It was not like we were not aware of the negative impacts of unregulated internet usage, but now it's more real than ever.

Jamie Miller's inner turmoil and eventual outburst made me, a parent of pre-pubescent children, and parents like me everywhere sit up and take notice. The build-up of the series is eerily similar to the way our thoughts shape around an unexpected event — one does not anticipate an impending calamity, and once in the throes of its aftermath, anxiety and tension ensue, and eventually our lives aren't quite the same.

From a regular viewer's neutral standpoint, this is a remarkable tale of lack of attention and understanding from the parents' part and how easy it is for children to get derailed in today's fast-paced world.

For parents, however, it is like a punch in the gut. Am I spending enough time with my children? Are they doing okay in school? How are they viewing friendship, and are they getting accepted by their peers for being who they are?

The greatest takeaway of the show remains the time-honoured values and principles of parenting — spend time with your children; be more involved with them.

As easy as it might be to just hand them a device to catch a much-needed break (the lord knows we all need it) — hold back! Engage with them, do fun things together and try to get to know them. Their hopes, dreams, fears, wants, needs.

Children learn from parents and nurture the love, affection, kindness and empathy they receive at home. What they see at home, they imprint and mirror in their lives. Healthy relationship models at home are likely to encourage them to display similar behaviours outside too.

None of us is trained in child psychology, and it is impossible to discern at times what is really happening in their tangled minds. Yet, the only way to find out is by being a part of their lives, however they want us to be. Without judgment or condescension.

Most importantly, we must be judicious in allowing children to have access to social media. Constant connectivity is a source of stress and anxiety for adults, even more so for children and young children whose brains are still in the developmental stage.

"Adolescence" is more than just a show — it's a stark reminder that parenting in the digital age requires presence, patience, and proactive involvement. If we don't step in, someone else — often unqualified and potentially harmful — will. Let this be our wake up call to listen more, judge less, and truly connect with the young minds growing up in an increasingly disconnected world.