Netflix’s Adolescence Sparks Debate: A Gripping Drama That Overlooks the Victim

Netflix’s latest drama, Adolescence, is making waves—not just for its intense storytelling, but for what it chooses to ignore. While the series dives deep into the complexities of teenage boys, their struggles, and their behavioral shifts in a hyper-digital world, it conveniently sidelines the real victims of their actions. And people aren’t letting that slide.

A Story of Boys… But What About Everyone Else?

Adolescence follows the turbulent lives of teenage boys, unpacking their emotional turmoil, social pressures, and the impact of the digital age. It’s raw, compelling, and eerily relevant. But here’s the catch—while it thoroughly examines why boys behave the way they do, it hardly gives a voice to those affected by their actions. Whether it’s bullying, online harassment, or even more serious consequences, the victims remain an afterthought.

A Deep Dive Into Teenage Turmoil

At first glance, Adolescence seems like a much-needed exploration of how young boys navigate emotional distress, toxic masculinity, and the overwhelming influence of social media. It paints a gritty and unfiltered picture of their frustrations, internal battles, and moments of self-discovery. The show attempts to explain why some boys lash out, withdraw, or spiral into destructive patterns, and it does so with impressive nuance.

But here’s the problem—while it’s busy humanizing these struggles, Adolescence barely acknowledges the collateral damage. The victims of online harassment, bullying, or worse? They remain silent, mere background figures in a story centered on those causing the harm.

The Debate: Is It Groundbreaking or Irresponsible?

Critics and audiences are split. Some are praising the show for starting a conversation about the challenges boys face, especially in an era where traditional masculinity is being questioned. Others, however, argue that it’s a dangerous one-sided narrative—an excuse to explain problematic behavior without holding anyone accountable.

The show’s defenders claim that Adolescence is meant to spark empathy, encouraging viewers to look beyond the surface of bad behavior and understand its root causes. But skeptics are pushing back, asking: At what cost? If we only focus on the perpetrators, aren’t we failing the people they hurt?

The Bigger Conversation Netflix Needs to Have

The controversy surrounding Adolescence is bigger than just one show. It taps into an ongoing cultural conversation—one about how we discuss accountability. Can we analyze and empathize with troubled youth without dismissing those affected by their actions? And more importantly, should we?

Netflix is no stranger to sparking heated discussions, and Adolescence is no exception. But the real question is: Will the show address these criticisms in its storytelling, or is it just another case of selective empathy?