What Parents NEED To Know About Adolescence.

03/18/25 • 32 min

The Netflix Show That Shook Me as a Parent – Adolescence Deep Dive

I just finished watching Adolescence on Netflix, and honestly? I haven’t stopped thinking about it. As a mum, this series hit me hard—because it wasn’t just some crime drama, it was a wake-up call for every parent raising kids in today’s digital world.

Some people said it was "boring" or that it "didn’t have a clear ending," but I think they completely missed the point. This show isn’t about a shocking twist or a neatly wrapped-up crime story—it’s about how an ordinary 13-year-old boy turns into someone capable of murder. And what’s even scarier? It makes us question whether we’d even see the warning signs in our own kids.

In this episode, I’m breaking down Adolescence episode by episode—what it got so right, why some people didn’t get it, and what it means for us as parents.

Here’s what I cover:

✔️ Episode 1: How we’re tricked into believing Jamie is innocent—until we see the tape 😳

✔️ Episode 2: What this show reveals about the education system, online safety, and how we’re failing our kids when it comes to technology

✔️ Episode 3: The psychologist session that exposes Jamie’s darkest side (this episode gave me chills)

✔️ Episode 4: The brutal reality for Jamie’s family—life will never be “normal” again

✔️ That final scene: The teddy bear, the apology, and why it left me absolutely shattered 💔

This isn’t just a TV show—it’s a mirror held up to modern parenting. It forced me to ask some really hard questions about how much I actually know about my son’s online world, the dangers he might face, and whether I’m doing enough to protect him.

So, if you’ve watched Adolescence (or even if you haven’t), let’s talk about it. Because this show isn’t just disturbing—it’s necessary.

Hit play, and let’s unpack this together. 🎧

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Adolescence shook me as a parent

02:05 – What the show is really about (and why people misunderstood it)

05:30 – Episode 1: The arrest and the shocking tape

11:20 – Episode 2: The education system & the emoji problem

18:45 – Episode 3: The psychologist’s session (the most chilling moment)

24:30 – Episode 4: The family aftermath & that heartbreaking ending

30:15 – Final thoughts – what this means for us as parents

🎧 Listen now & let’s talk about it!

The Netflix Show That Shook Me as a Parent – Adolescence Deep Dive

In this episode, I’m breaking down Adolescence episode by episode—what it got so right, why some people didn’t get it, and what it means for us as parents.

Here’s what I cover:

✔️ Episode 1: How we’re tricked into believing Jamie is innocent—until we see the tape 😳

✔️ Episode 2: What this show reveals about the education system, online safety, and how we’re failing our kids when it comes to technology

✔️ Episode 3: The psychologist session that exposes Jamie’s darkest side (this episode gave me chills)

✔️ Episode 4: The brutal reality for Jamie’s family—life will never be “normal” again

✔️ That final scene: The teddy bear, the apology, and why it left me absolutely shattered 💔

So, if you’ve watched Adolescence (or even if you haven’t), let’s talk about it. Because this show isn’t just disturbing—it’s necessary.

Hit play, and let’s unpack this together. 🎧

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Adolescence shook me as a parent

02:05 – What the show is really about (and why people misunderstood it)

05:30 – Episode 1: The arrest and the shocking tape

11:20 – Episode 2: The education system & the emoji problem

18:45 – Episode 3: The psychologist’s session (the most chilling moment)

24:30 – Episode 4: The family aftermath & that heartbreaking ending

30:15 – Final thoughts – what this means for us as parents

🎧 Listen now & let’s talk about it!

Previous Episode

My sons Autism Diagnosis

Autism Diagnosis: Jacob's Journey

I share the journey of Jacob's autism diagnosis. The discussion covers the timeline from observing early signs at 18 months, through various referrals and assessments, including speech and language observations, kindergarten referrals, and observations by the Child Autism Assessment Service. I chat about the challenges of dealing with slow progress and the emotional struggle of parenting amid uncertainty. I also discuss concern over social misinformation about autism, the importance of appropriate support in school, and the need for a suitable Individualised Education Program (IEP) and SEND register. The episode concludes with a call for advice and shared experiences from other parents.

00:00 Introduction: Jacob's Autism Diagnosis

00:51 Early Signs and Nursery Observations

01:39 Speech and Language Assessments

02:56 Kindergarten and Further Referrals

05:29 Challenges in Getting a Diagnosis

07:15 Parenting Dilemmas and Concerns

10:45 School Environment and Social Acceptance

12:02 Future Plans and Seeking Advice

14:40 Conclusion and Call for Support

Next Episode

Is Tech Raising Our Kids? A No-Bullshit Chat About Screen Time, Guilt, and Roblox Nightmares

In this brutally honest, no-filter episode of Unfiltered Parenthood, I'm diving deep into the tech trenches — because I cannot be the only parent who feels like I'm co-parenting with YouTube, Roblox, Minecraft, and a never-ending stream of screen-based chaos.

From my 5-year-old’s obsession with Roblox (and that one terrifying Peppa Pig-looking nightmare 😳) to the absolute minefield of managing screen time with an autistic child — we’re getting into the good, the bad, and the guilt-ridden.

Whether you're using tech as a breather tool or wrestling with whether YouTube Kids is safe, this episode’s for every parent navigating the wild west of iPads, apps, and social media pressure.

What You’ll Hear:

🎮 Why my son’s iPad was originally for learning, but somehow Minecraft snuck in
👀 The moment I realised Roblox is fucking terrifying
🧠 The unexpected benefits of Minecraft for young kids
🛑 Why I’m not letting my kid near TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram anytime soon
🧩 How screen time looks different when your child is autistic
⚖️ The constant battle between being “too strict” or “too lenient” with tech
🗣️ Why open conversations about online safety are my non-negotiable
🧒 How I balance educational apps vs. free play (and what I use to lock it down)
💭 And that lingering, soul-sucking screen time guilt we all carry

Tech isn’t going anywhere. Schools use it. Kids learn from it. But where the hell is the line between raising resilient, tech-savvy humans and letting the iPad babysit them?

Spoiler alert: I don’t have all the answers — but I’ve got plenty of rants, regrets, and real-life experiences to share.

✨ If you’ve ever:

Bribed your kid with the iPad just so you could drink a hot cup of coffee
Panicked after seeing a Roblox thumbnail that looks like horror film content
Struggled to set tech boundaries while also needing 5 mins peace
Wondered if you're screwing it all up...

...this one’s for you.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

NumBots App
ClassDojo
Kids YouTube Setup Guide

📣 Let’s Chat: Do you use tech zones? Educational app time before screen fun? Are you just winging it like me? Drop your thoughts in the comments or DM me on [TikTok] or [Instagram].

Don’t forget to like, follow, and share if this episode made you feel even 1% less alone. 💛