Netflix’s Adolescence is a gripping and thought-provoking series that explores teenage struggles, emotional suppression, and the harmful impact of social media. The show has sparked conversations about the troubling ways young people respond to online influences, highlighting the urgent need for emotional intelligence in today’s digital age. As a psychology student, I found it particularly impactful—not just for portraying social media’s dangers but for exploring how emotional expression, or the lack thereof, shapes an individual’s choices and relationships.

Tragic consequence of emotional suppression

At the heart of Adolescence is Jamie, a 13-year-old boy who commits a horrific crime—murdering a girl who had bullied him online. His vulnerability was exacerbated by exposure to misogynistic influencers, such as Andrew Tate, whose rhetoric preys on individuals with low self-esteem and social isolation. Jamie’s desperate need for acceptance made him susceptible to these toxic ideologies, fueling his emotional turmoil and ultimately leading to a devastating outcome.

 A crisis in emotional intelligence

While banning harmful influencers may seem like a solution, it does not address the deeper issue—low emotional intelligence and poor emotional expression. Social media perpetuates unattainable ideals, fostering insecurity and self-doubt. Without proper emotional coping mechanisms, individuals resort to maladaptive defense mechanisms. Jamie exemplifies this, exhibiting reaction formation—resenting girls when, in reality, he craved their acceptance.

Despite being intellectually capable, Jamie lacked emotional intelligence—the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, and to recognize and influence the emotions of others. His struggles were evident throughout the series, particularly in episode three, where his aggressive outbursts signaled unresolved distress. But how much responsibility does Jamie bear when society itself discourages emotional expression?

Stigma around emotional expression

Emotional expression is the outward manifestation of internal emotional states, through verbal or nonverbal communication. Society has long perpetuated the idea that emotions equate to weakness.  While women are often labeled as "too emotional," men and boys are discouraged from expressing vulnerability, leading to emotional suppression. Jamie, socially isolated and lacking a safe space for expression, relied on equally troubled teenage friends for support—who, being young themselves, were ill-equipped to guide him. His bottled-up emotions eventually found destructive outlets, revealing the depth of his distress.

Research highlights that emotional expression must be paired with cognitive processing or social support. Without structured guidance from parents or teachers, Jamie’s emotions escalated into aggression. Studies show that poor emotional regulation is strongly linked to externalizing behaviors like violence and impulsivity, reinforcing the urgent need for early intervention for the larger society.

Addressing Bullying

Bullying is an unfortunate reality that cannot be entirely eradicated. Instead of solely focusing on prevention, we must equip young people with healthier ways to respond. It is natural for bullying to impact self-esteem, but the key question is: how do we process and constructively deal with it? Research study by Kennedy-Moore and Watson (2001) explains the paradox of distress expression where expressing negative emotions can serve as a coping mechanism, leading to emotional insight and healthier responses to distress. Had Jamie been encouraged to express his feelings in a supportive environment—such as with his parents—he might have developed the resilience needed to navigate bullying without resorting to violence. After all, bullying often reflects the aggressor’s emotional struggles rather than being a personal attack.

Measured response of parents

Despite the gravity of Jamie’s crime, his parents did not abandon him. They neither condone nor explicitly condemned his actions—something that could not be said for much of society. Instead, they provided him with a safe space to process his emotions while shielding him from the backlash they faced. Episode four portrays their measured approach, balancing support with accountability - parents' conversation on not blaming themselves entirely and considering Jamie’s responsibility for his actions.

Jamie also benefited from therapy, which played a pivotal role in helping him understand his emotions and actions. While the show’s depiction of therapy may have been simplified for screen time, it effectively conveyed its transformative power. By the final episode, Jamie, guided by therapy and parental support, accepted the gravity of his crime and took responsibility for his actions.

Research consistently underscores the importance of social support in preventing maladaptive emotional expression. The absence of emotionally mature mentors in Jamie’s life contributed to his emotional suppression and destructive coping mechanisms. While providing a safe space is crucial, so is holding individuals accountable for their actions. His trajectory might have differed if Jamie had received structured emotional guidance earlier.

A cautionary tale 

Jamie’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of emotional suppression. His eventual reckoning came too late—but his journey underscores the necessity of early emotional intervention and healthy emotional expression.

Ultimately, Adolescence is a stark reminder that fostering emotional resilience, rather than repression, is vital for a healthier society. Schools and parents must prioritize social-emotional learning, equipping adolescents with emotional regulation, empathy, and communication skills. Trained teachers and counselors should offer early intervention for emotional distress. Additionally, parental awareness programs can further reinforce these skills at home. By educating parents on the importance of emotional intelligence and providing them with tools for fostering healthy emotional expression, we create a more supportive and consistent environment for adolescents.

We cannot shield young people from all harmful influences, but we can equip them with the emotional intelligence to navigate them. That is the greatest lesson this series has to offer—a lesson that every parent, teacher, and policymaker must embrace to build a more emotionally resilient generation.

(The author is a research intern with the Centre for Social and Policy Research at CHRIST (Deemed to be University). Views are personal. She can be contacted at avani.rara@pseco.christuniversity.in )