A Netflix mini-series exploring themes of misogyny, online culture and radicalisation is an opportunity for all parents and carers to have a crucial conversation with their children.
The crime drama “Adolescence” centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the suspected murder of his classmate Katie.
As the series delves into the investigation, it reveals how Miller was influenced by misogynistic online culture, offering a stark portrayal of the real pressures teenagers face.
Leading child protection organisation Act for Kids said the discourse around toxic masculinity explored in the show presents a critical lesson for those raising children about the silent harm children can suffer as a result of online experiences.
“The key takeaway for parents and carers watching or hearing about this show is the urgent need to have a conversation with your child about the things they are seeing online or what activities they might be engaging in online,” Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines said.
“We need to create an environment where children and young people feel comfortable talking to adults if they see something online that is disturbing, upsetting or grabs their interest."
Act for Kids also encourages families to have age-appropriate discussions with children about harmful online behaviours including cyberbullying or how engaging in certain conversations or chat groups could negatively impact another person.
“There are also bigger conversations society needs to have about the physical and social harms girls and women experience online and in-person, and the isolation young boys are facing,” Dr Lines said.
Act for Kids has the following tips for parents and guardians:
- Engage with your child: ask them what they like to do online and check-in with them regularly about their online use.
- Check-in and explore if your child has heard about the show. Ask them what they think about it and the issues it raises and keep the conversation light and open. Help them understand the seriousness of engaging in online conversations that could be dangerous, or cause harm to another child.
- Where possible supervise children online and monitor the material they are accessing, including creating shared common areas for online activity in the house.
- Have age-appropriate conversations about the online world.
- Regularly check their device privacy settings and internet search limitations as well as yours.
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