The Netflix drama Adolescence has sparked intense conversations among parents, offering a raw depiction of how social media is affecting teens. The show doesn’t just entertain - it forces us to confront a digital epidemic that has quietly seeped into the lives of our children.

Take male role models: influencers like Andrew Tate hold so much power. Radical content spreads easily online, and young men - particularly those isolated and struggling - are increasingly drawn into the manosphere. According to the Centre for Social Justice, the number of young males not in education, employment, or training (NEET) has jumped by 40%, compared to just 7% among females.

Psychologist Jon Haidt’s 2024 book The Anxious Generation explains this phenomenon well. As kids spend more time on screens and less outdoors, many young men are growing up socially underdeveloped and vulnerable to online extremism. And yet, while the public debates banning smartphones in schools, many of these boys remain isolated in their bedrooms, far from the eyes of educators.

Haidt’s work has helped shift the spotlight onto Big Tech and the broader harms of digital dependency. One in five children in the UK grows up without a father figure - yet another layer to this complex issue. The Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) movement has given parents a sense of control. But while well-intentioned, the idea of simply removing devices is overly simplistic.

We need practical, inclusive solutions. Different families face different challenges. Single parents, low-income households, the SEND community, and marginalised groups all require tailored approaches. For example, while I support delaying access to social media until age 16, I also recognise that a 12-year-old LGBTQ+ child might find critical emotional support online. Their safety offline must be a priority too.

Another often-overlooked factor is parental behaviour. Many adults are glued to their own screens - checking emails during meals, doom-scrolling into the night - while asking kids to unplug. If we want children to adopt healthier habits, we’ve got to first examine and improve our own.

Shame also clouds this discussion. Parents with under-14s already using smartphones often feel they’ve failed. But Big Tech sold us a false sense of safety. Now, instead of blaming ourselves, we need to focus on how to help our children reclaim balance and teach younger generations to start off on the right foot.

And it's vital that we listen to the people most affected: young people themselves. Beyond’s Youth Board, made up of 10 to 25-year-olds, offered valuable insights. When asked what age social media use should begin, most said 12 or 13. As an advocate for “delay until 16,” I was initially horrified. But their honesty is crucial to this debate.

Freya, 14, believes social media can improve social skills and learning. Gabs, 16, adds that starting earlier offers more time to teach safe usage. While they acknowledge social media’s addictive nature - many say it replaces real-life joy, friendships, and self-worth - they also believe it's not all bad. Freya values being able to explore topics school or parents won’t cover. Gabs calls on adults to stop judging and start understanding.

Their message is clear: trust us, but make these platforms safer, and teach us how to use them responsibly.

How should we support Gen Alpha? Gabs says relatable education is key. “Hearing from Gen Z peers is far more effective than a teacher with a PowerPoint”. That’s where movements like Flippgen matter, bridging the gap between generations.

Beyond trustee Jeremy Lyons sums it up well, “Young people are exposed to harmful content long before they understand its context. Their interpretation depends on their environment. That’s why one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work. We need co-created, inclusive approaches”.

What’s next? We need a youth-informed, inclusive response that tackles root causes, not just symptoms. Banning smartphones in schools is only part of the answer. Real change happens outside the classroom too.

Because let’s be honest, once that school bell rings, it’s dopamine time.

Louisa Rose is the CEO of youth mental health charity Beyond and a former social media professional.