Youth Representation in Adolescence

Adolescence is defined as the developmental period in which you develop from a child to an adult. During this stage, every part of your body is changing. The show Adolescence goes through the life of a 13-year-old boy named Jamie, who is accused of murdering a girl in the class. From the moment the police break down his doors to arrest him, to the end of the investigation 13 months later, the series highlights the effects of social media on children around the world.

Jamie is constantly surrounded by adults, including his parents, teachers, therapists, and investigators, asking him for the truth of what happened. It is not until over a year after his arrest, in the fourth episode, that Jamie finally confesses that he murdered Katie after he denied the action countless times throughout the series. It is clear that his violent act against Katie was a direct result of her bullying him online, which contributed to his insecurity and negative self-image.

Although this situation is obviously not going to happen in every teen's life, I personally relate to the idea that it is sometimes hard to tell adults the truth, because they simply do not understand what it is like to live as a teen right now. Because it can be difficult to find a trustworthy adult to confide in, many teens do not have healthy outlets for their heavier emotions, which can lead to extreme situations like Jamie's. While Jamie's experience is not that of the everyday teenager, there are many aspects of the show that made me feel seen and understood as a teenager, such as how Jamie's character displays how social media can be damaging to self-image, causing larger, deep-seated issues in the minds of teens.

Another relatable character is the victim's best friend, Jade. The day after Katie dies, the police show up at her school to question her. This causes Jade to feel overwhelmed during such a difficult time, causing her to resort to violence after building up so much anger and resentment. This is a feeling I can personally relate to as a 16-year-old girl, as I often feel that nobody understands my feelings and when people try to help me, it can feel like they are against me. All in all, there are many ways that the story of Katie's murder and Jamie's crime accurately depict the modern teenage experience. It is important for current teenagers to be accurately depicted on television and in films because it allows for the next generation to feel that they are not alone and can help them to navigate their unique experiences.