“He Was a Good Kid”: The Truth Behind the Netflix Show "Adolescence" (#233)

In this deeply personal and sobering episode, Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann unpack the haunting Netflix film Adolescence, a raw portrayal of the modern teenage experience and how easily even “good kids” can spiral when left alone with the wrong influences online.Together, Melanie and Mandee walk through the film’s most powerful moments, examining the disconnection between parents and teens, the normalization of harmful online behavior, the secret digital languages kids use, and the heartbreaking reality of kids who are more connected to their screens than their families.They ask the tough questions: What does real family attachment look like in the digital age? How can parents intervene before it’s too late? And are we leading our kids out of the online fire—or just watching it burn?This isn’t just a film review—it’s a wake-up call. The stories in Adolescence reflect what’s happening in real families every day. But there is hope. At ScreenStrong, we believe these tragedies are preventable. Join us to learn how to reclaim your influence, reconnect with your child, and start leading them to safety—today.Support the showDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!ScreenStrong Tech RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin