Netflix’s Adolescence and the rise of responsible gambling awareness

The most watched show on Netflix right now, Adolescence, has captured attention worldwide. It has gathered such a huge audience not just because each episode was masterfully filmed in a single take, but also due to the realistic portrayal of the modern teenage experience. As a result, it has sparked multiple conversations about the impact of the internet on young people.

The hit Netflix show is more than just another coming-of-age drama. Adolescence offers insight into the social pressures teens face today; with it comes a subject that is often ignored in mainstream media: online gambling and underage activity.

Join us as we uncover why Adolescence became such a hot topic and how it could make a difference:

How social gaming and masculinity myths are shaping teen boys

The show highlights the pressure that teens face online, but it doesn't lecture viewers. Instead, it skillfully weaves this theme into its narrative, showing how impulsive decisions and outside influences can spiral into risky behaviour.

It shines a light on the struggles of young boys growing up in the digital age and how it bombards them with conflicting messages about masculinity. The series explores themes of identity, overcoming rejection, and the pressure to conform to male archetypes.

Sir Keir Starmer sounds the alarm on online dangers

How are boys and young men coming into contact with certain content? Algorithms play a huge role and are set up by human coders. Once they are operational, they become automated pathways that direct content to users. Plus, social casinos and games are subtly conditioning teens to engage in gambling behaviour.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has some concerns about the dangers of online content. He’s been quoted as saying:

"If we are going to get to grips with this, I would much rather we focus on what I think is the real issue, which is, whether you're at school or elsewhere, what are you actually accessing? Because that, for me, is the critical issue."

Every generation of parents fears their children being corrupted by things outside their control. But this is the harsh reality when teens have unlimited access to the internet and everything it contains.

Conspiracies, sexting, and the rise of teen gambling culture

Teens are increasingly exposed to conspiracy theories and misinformation, which are shaping the ideas of young boys, driving up rates of gender-based violence.

It’s in all of these facts that the inspiration for the series was born. It came from real-world concerns, with a goal to engage young people without feeling like a public service announcement. The creators of Adolescence are a team of young filmmakers and social workers who were alarmed by the rising statistics about social media influence on adolescents and the violence and bullying they face online and offline.

The delivery resulted in a gripping, emotionally charged series that showed the complexity of teenage life. This also presents an opportunity for educators, parents, and mental health workers to use the show as a tool to start discussions.

A discussion about responsible gambling awareness is also part of the cultural conversation, especially when one considers the growing influence of the gambling culture on youth and the multiple reports of underage gambling and interest in betting.

That's particularly noticeable in the big overlap between gambling and video games.

A powerful push for online safety and gambling harm awareness

One of the other key things that has shocked many is the fact that this was a story about a seemingly ordinary family. This was a child in a loving family, with no signs of abuse and no family tensions. They were quite average, yet the story was tragic. It can happen to anyone.

Netflix agreed to make the Adolescence series available for free across UK schools to help teens navigate contemporary challenges and deal with different online influences.

And even though gambling is not specifically mentioned in the series, it's also part of the online influences and dangers for teenagers. As such, we can find the link to spreading awareness and presenting such important topics across this field as well. After all, as the internet has everything young people crave, and gambling becomes more accessible through mobile apps and social gaming, teens are increasingly vulnerable.

How to recognise gambling addiction in young people

Recognising the signs and symptoms of addiction in young people is crucial for early prevention and to provide support and guidance for safe gameplay. Let’s take a look at some of the behavioural and emotional signs.

It is very important for parents and educators to keep their eyes open for the signs and symptoms and to address gambling addiction in its early stages so the youth can receive the help they need to overcome their addiction and prevent further negative consequences.

Social media and online gaming platforms provide easy access to harmful content. It is important to recognise that some actions are illegal, and engaging in illegal gambling, unregulated financial schemes, and explicit content has legal consequences.

It’s essential for us to recognise that education is key, and if we start with the youth, we can shape the future for future generations.