Think Parenting a Teen Is Tough? Watch Adolescence on Netflix.
- Jennifer Avery
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
“Being a teen today is hard.”
We’ve all heard it. We’ve probably even said it.
But after watching the Netflix series Adolescence, one thing becomes painfully clear:
Being the parent of a teen in today’s world might be even harder.
About the Series
This series is gripping, raw, and deeply unsettling at times. It shows us the emotional unraveling of a 13-year-old boy, caught in a spiral of shame, online influence, emotional shutdown, and ultimately, tragedy. This is not a story about a “bad kid” or “checked-out parents.” It’s a wake-up call — a painful reminder that these situations can unfold in any home, even those where parents are loving, involved, and doing everything they can to raise good kids. There’s no such thing as a perfect parent — just ones who are showing up, doing their best with what they know, and trying to stay connected in a world that’s changing fast.
So let’s talk about the bigger picture — and more importantly, what we can do about it.
This Is Not Just a TV Drama. It’s Our Kids’ Reality.
The show highlights the weight of what kids are carrying:
🚨 Constant access to social media
🚨 Exposure to harmful messaging that shapes their mindset too soon
🚨 The urgency to define themselves while still figuring it out — in an overexposed world.
And it’s happening younger than most of us realize.
The Red Flags That Hit Me the Hardest
What struck me most while watching Adolescence wasn’t the big, dramatic scenes — though those were undeniably hard to watch. It was the quiet red flags. The subtle changes. The everyday moments we often overlook.
As a family counsellor and life coach, I see how often these early signs get missed. Not out of neglect — but because life is busy, and teens don’t always show what they’re feeling.
This series is a powerful reminder that prevention starts small — in the moments that seem ordinary.
A shift in mood that looks like “just a bad day.”
Isolation that hides behind “I’m tired” or “I’m fine.”
Online behaviour that seems normal — until it isn’t.
Small changes in how they talk
Pulling away that seems like “just teen stuff."
These signs often don’t scream for attention. They’re quiet — and easy to miss in the busyness of both online and offline life.
Five Foundations That Protect and Prepare Our Kids
If you’ve ever attended one of my workshops or followed my work, you’ve likely heard these principles before. They’ve stayed consistent for a reason — and watching Adolescence was a powerful reminder of why they matter.
No tech in the bedroom
Screens don’t belong where kids sleep. It goes beyond sleep — it’s about keeping their space safe, private, and mentally healthy. In the series, one late-night moment in front of a screen says everything. This is where spirals start. When the world goes quiet, and the internet gets louder.
No social media before age 13
Chances are, the teen in Adolescence was already exposed to harmful online content before turning 13. These ideologies don’t just appear overnight. Early exposure to unfiltered content distorts identity, relationships, and self-worth.
Read their messages
Know the slang. The emojis. The influencers they follow. You don’t need to be a helicopter — but you do need to be informed. You’re not invading their privacy; you’re helping guide their safety.
Relationship, relationship, relationship
That open line of communication? That’s your strongest parenting tool. The ability to talk about anything — even the awkward, even the uncomfortable — is what keeps our kids from shutting down or hiding when they need help the most. Download my free Parent Toolkit to help strengthen your connection with your teen. https://www.healthyroutes.ca/resilience-toolkit-for-parents
Rebalance the School Experience
Academics matter — but so do emotional and social skills. Teens need an education that supports the whole person.
Support phone-free classrooms→ Less distraction, better focus, stronger peer connection.
Advocate for life skills→ Teens need real-world tools like communication, emotional regulation, and boundary-setting — not just grades. (P.S. My upcoming book for teens focuses on these exact skills — click https://www.healthyroutes.ca/not-today-frank-book
to get the details when it launches this April.
The world is loud — your connection is their anchor.
You don’t need all the answers.
You don’t have to win every battle.
Showing up — consistently, calmly, and with curiosity — is what anchors them through the noise.
Keep the door open.
Keep the conversation going.
Your presence still matters more than anything they’ll find on a screen.
And if you ever need tools or support along the way — I’m here.
📬 Reach out or follow along:
Email support@healthyroutes.ca
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