An Australian mother has shared the three crucial questions she immediately asked her 10-year-old son after watching the hit new series Adolescence.
In an interview with Mamamia, journalist Isabelle Silberry revealed that these were questions she had “never thought to ask” before, but they sparked important and eye-opening conversations with her son.
Just two weeks after its release, Stephen Graham’s latest series Adolescence has soared to the top of Netflix charts, drawing viewers in with its powerful social commentary on the rise of incel ideology.
The series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who is accused of brutally murdering his classmate, Katie, after being exposed to radical anti-feminist ideologies online.
Now a critically acclaimed four-part series, Adolescence has sparked widespread discussion—online, in homes, and even in parliament—about who is responsible and how to combat the online radicalization of young men.
One Australian mother shared how, after watching the show’s finale, she ran to her son’s room, feeling “jolted into action” and desperate to understand “what our boys are experiencing.”
She observed that, like many boys his age, her son often shifted between defensiveness and vulnerability, making the conversation a delicate one. She had to push past her natural instinct to “shut down” difficult topics and instead create a space for open dialogue.
Sitting at the edge of her son’s bed, she approached him gently, explaining that she had some free time and simply wanted to spend it with him—because she loves him.
In an interview with Mamamia, Australian journalist Isabelle Silberry shared three questions she had “never thought to ask” her son—questions that unexpectedly sparked an important and eye-opening conversation (pictured with her son).
The series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who becomes the prime suspect in the brutal murder of his classmate, Katie, after being exposed to radical anti-feminist ideologies online.
Confused, her son asked if everything was okay. That’s when she posed the “frightening” questions she never imagined she would.
First, she asked, “What do you think about the girls at school?”
Next, “What does being a boy feel like for you?”
And finally, “What do you think a good man does?”
While the writer chose to keep his answers private out of respect for him, she emphasized that the conversation sparked an open and meaningful dialogue between them.
Reflecting on Adolescence, the mother of two pointed to a pivotal scene in episode three, where Jamie’s psychologist remains present with him—even as he becomes increasingly aggressive, to the point of frightening her.
She highlighted how the psychologist’s approach, allowing Jamie to “open up” rather than immediately reprimanding him, reinforced the power of asking the right questions to foster deeper conversations.
The critically acclaimed four-part series has ignited widespread debate—online, in households, and even in parliament—as people grapple with who is responsible and how to prevent the online radicalization of young men.
In the episode, child psychologist Briony Ariston, played by Erin Doherty, poses a powerful question to Jamie:
“What you think is more important to me than what is true?”
The line struck a chord with Isabelle, who immediately saved it in her notes.
After watching Adolescence, she became more vigilant about her son’s online activity, taking extra precautions to ensure his digital safety. She now monitors his kids’ messenger app, paying close attention to interactions between both boys and girls.
Her observations even led to a difficult but necessary conversation with her son after noticing concerning messages. She asked him to reflect on his words and encouraged him to apologize where needed.
Determined to protect him from the potential dangers of online influence, Isabelle has also decided to withhold access to social media until he reaches an appropriate age.
Just two weeks ago, Stephen Graham’s latest show Adolescence skyrocketed to the top of the Netflix charts, with viewers captivated by its thought-provoking social commentary on the rise of incel ideology.
While watching the show, the mother of two highlighted a pivotal scene from episode three, where Jamie’s psychologist creates space for him, “even when he becomes extremely aggressive, to the point of terrifying her.”
Additionally, she shared that she is now more actively involved with her son’s school, regularly checking in with his teachers about the interactions taking place in the school playground.
Additionally, she mentioned that she now pays closer attention to what her son discusses when friends come over, not out of mistrust, but to “seize any opportunity to address issues as they arise and keep the lines of communication open so he feels heard and understood.”
The mother of two emphasized that she didn’t want to have any “regrets” and recognized the equal importance of prioritizing the welfare and safety of her young daughter.
“I never want to say to her, ‘Sorry, I should’ve done better,'” she concluded.
The new series has been a hit with viewers, while also sparking widespread discussion about the growing presence of incel ideology online—particularly with the rise of anti-feminist influencers like Andrew Tate.
At its core, an incel, or “involuntary celibate,” refers to someone who struggles to find a romantic or sexual partner despite wanting one.
In recent years, a more radicalized subculture of incels has emerged across blogs and forums collectively known as the “manosphere”—a space defined by extreme misogyny fueled by deep-seated sexual frustration.
The show’s release comes amid growing concerns about the increasing influence of these online spaces. A 2022 report found that visits to incel-related websites in the UK surged from 114,420 to 638,505 per month, with boys as young as 14 being drawn into these communities.
Against this backdrop, Stephen Graham told The Independent that parents must be more “mindful” of the “external influences” shaping their children’s lives—including exposure to the “woman-hating” ideologies prevalent in the manosphere.
