'Adolescence' - the wake-up call for parents that could change the online lives of teens

How a hit TV drama may become the culture shift needed to protect kids

WARNING: This post contains major spoilers about the Netflix show Adolescence

I’ve long subscribed to the adage that western societies overprotect children in the physical world and underprotect them online.

Working at Snapchat for six years I saw up close the addictive nature of features like streaks, how teens’ self esteem and social dynamics are shaped by apps and how common it is that they’re exposed to harmful content.

Even four years after leaving the company I’m often asked by parents whether they should give into pressure from their tweens and teens to get a smartphone or join Snapchat, TikTok or Instagram. I’ll nearly always respond by saying that as hard as it is, the best way they can protect their child is by vigilantly checking who they’re messaging, what they’re saying and what content they view. But after watching the harrowing drama Adolescence I’ll skip my surveillance pep talk and direct them towards the Netflix four-parter instead because nothing will help parents und…