Theraverse . May 15, 2025

All anyone has been talking about lately is the Netflix show Adolescence. So, out of curiosity, I decided to give it a watch. The show follows Jamie, a 13-year-old boy facing serious consequences after violent behaviour towards one of his female classmates. It is an honest and uncomfortable depiction of what can happen when a child slips through the cracks. Watching this show through the lens of a psychology student has helped me understand deviant behaviour in teenagers in ways I would not have otherwise. So, let’s take another look at the show and explore the factors that may have contributed to Jamie’s extreme behaviour.

The Vulnerable Adolescent Brain
Let’s start with something science has discussed time and again. Teenagers’ brains are a work in progress. The part of the brain responsible for impulse control, evaluating consequences, and making sound decisions does not fully mature until we reach our mid-twenties.
In the show, Jamie is not always thinking five steps ahead, he acts based on what feels right in the moment. This leads him to make extremely impulsive and emotional choices with serious consequences. The show does not portray Jamie as just another moody, rebellious teen. Instead, it shows how reckless behaviour can grow into something much more dangerous.

Social Identity
Jamie’s perspective, like many of ours, is moulded by what he sees online. He is pulled into dark corners of the internet that are filled with toxic messages about masculinity, power, and violence. This relates to a theory in social psychology, which suggests that people learn behaviours, attitudes, and values by observing and imitating others. This is especially true when those behaviours appear to be rewarded or go unpunished.
In Jamie’s case, he is exposed to harmful content online that glorifies aggression, dominance, and toxic masculinity. When he sees these messages echoed in digital spaces, he begins to believe they are normal or acceptable.

Peer Dynamics
Teenagers are deeply influenced by their peers. Their sense of self is closely tied to the groups they belong to, as this provides them with a feeling of belonging. The desire to fit in can lead them to take risks or behave in ways that go against social norms, just to gain approval or respect.
Adolescence portrays this dynamic well, especially in how the younger characters encourage each other indirectly. Jamie’s actions intensify as he tries to gain approval from or compete with peers who clearly do not have his best interests at heart.

Deviant behaviour rarely comes from a single source. It is not just about growing up in a difficult home, being exposed to the wrong content online, or friends who have a negative influence. It is usually a combination of many factors. Genetics, trauma, mental health, and environment all play a significant role.
This is what Adolescence gets right. It does not give you an oversimplified cause-and-effect story. Instead, it delivers a layered narrative that highlights the intricacies of the human mind.

The show serves as an eye opener, teaching us to observe and address deviant behaviour in teens before it escalates. Some signs may include sudden changes in mood, withdrawal from family or activities, increased secrecy, aggressive outbursts, or a fixation on violent content. These behaviours might not always manifest in the most obvious ways, which is why attention and open communication are important. Instead of reacting from a place of judgement with the intention of punishing them, it’s more effective to approach the situation and the individuals with curiosity and compassion. Providing access to counselling, psychoeducation for family members, mentoring programs and peer support groups can help redirect harmful patterns. These resources help equip teens with suitable emotional regulation skills and healthy coping strategies.

As we see in the show, ignoring early signs can lead to devastating consequences. Merely understanding where the deviance stems from is not enough and doesn’t justify harmful behaviour, but it does give us the tools to respond constructively and possibly prevent them in the first place. With the right kind of support, there’s definitely a better chance of helping teenagers and young adults develop into self-aware adults and overall healthy adults.

By,

Manya Jayabalan,

Intern, Theraverse.