Enchanted by “Adolescence”: An Opportunity to Reflect on the Role of Adults

The Netflix series Adolescence has captured audiences, becoming a true media phenomenon. But its success is not only due to compelling storytelling, but also to its ability to challenge the adult world, exposing its weaknesses and contradictions. At the Rimini Meeting event entitled “Enchanted by Adolescence”, child neuropsychiatrist Lorenzo Bassani and teacher Domenico Fabio Tallarico analyzed the phenomenon, starting from a surprising premise: reality is often “much worse.”

During the event, the speakers explored the reasons behind this success. They highlighted how the series does not simply portray the lives of teenagers, but offers a harsh portrait of adults. The latter, despite their roles as parents, teachers, or police officers, seem unable to truly “engage with their own humanity” and that of their children. The series unmasks a deeply “hypocritical and inconsistent” society, where rules—such as those on alcohol, clubs, or social media—exist but are constantly ignored by adults themselves.

It is often tempting to blame all of teenagers’ problems on social media, but the speakers warned against such oversimplification. As Lorenzo Bassani pointed out, digital platforms tend to “nuclearize” shared experiences, creating personalized realities that fragment the social fabric. Tallarico added that since the introduction of the cell phone, the time young people spend together in person has dropped drastically. However, as he stressed, the real problem remains loneliness, a constant presence in many teenagers’ lives.

The series highlights both the deep distress of young people and the fragility of the adults who are supposed to help them. According to Tallarico, adolescents lack a “free love,” one not bound to the project their parents have for them. They feel unseen, looked at only through the lens of adult expectations. This is why many adolescents, like the protagonist Jamie, desperately seek a gaze that is genuinely interested in them—not in their potential as part of some project or career.

The solution, then, is not about “labels,” but about authentic relationships. Tallarico suggested that in order to educate and guide adolescents, we can draw inspiration from the seven spiritual works of mercy, such as teaching the ignorant, consoling the sorrowful, and correcting those who err. Adults must be like trees that, even when breaking, still withstand the storm. Their role is to “welcome,” “respect,” “educate,” “love,” and “challenge” young people, helping them grow and develop their humanity.

At the Rimini Meeting, in what was described as a desert of meaning, it became clear that hope for the future lies in rebuilding. “What are the new bricks with which we can rebuild today?” asked moderator Valentina Frigerio. Bassani’s response was direct: “We are the new bricks.” It is the responsibility of adults to change, to be curious, and to be willing to meet young people where they are, without fear of embracing them.