How This Image Captured Every Parent’s Panic over Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’

Netflix’s latest hit series, ‘Adolescence’, has taken the world by storm - dominating feeds, headlines, and dinner table conversations. But it’s also sparked something deeper: parental fear. Articles, opinion pieces and TikTok videos of distressed "boy moms" reveal a growing unease about raising teens in a world shaped by social media, smartphones, and the rise of misogynistic content. The New Yorker described the phenomenon as “an expression of parental panic.”

In response, Droga5 Dublin, part of Accenture Song, and long-term client The SOAR Foundation have launched a powerful reactive press campaign called ‘Face Not Recognised’. It helps parents who fear that social media is secretly impacting their teenagers, find much needed support for them through SOAR.

But the campaign doesn’t just stop with parents. In schools, Droga5 Dublin, part of Accenture Song, and SOAR spoke directly to teenagers who feel disconnected from themselves and their emotions. The ambient messages on school bathroom mirrors directed teens toward SOAR’s text helpline. The campaign will also leverage creator content from SOAR’s Facilitators on TikTok, ensuring the message reaches teens in an authentic way.

Through this reactive campaign, Droga5 Dublin, part of Accenture Song, and SOAR have directed cultural panic towards meaningful action - offering support for both parents and teenagers navigating the complexities of adolescence.

"I'm a dad to a 10-year-old boy, so ‘Adolescence’ was an emotional rollercoaster for me, like it was for parents across the world. It sparked an important conversation, but parents were left wondering - what do I do if I see something change? That’s why the services offered by The Soar Foundation and this campaign are so important to us. Together we have turned a cultural conversation into actual support for teenagers and parents at this difficult time.” said Stephen Rogers, creative director at Droga5 Dublin, part of Accenture Song.

“The Soar Foundation has been working with teenagers, teachers and parents for over thirteen years. Adolescence is a powerful and frightening insight into the current teenage reality and is understandably confronting for parents. We hope this campaign can provide support and guidance to parents who may be recognising a shift in their teen’s mood or behaviours. The Soar Foundation provides free resources that can help navigate this confusing and challenging time in a teen’s life. We urge anyone who has a concern about the young people in their lives to get in touch.” said Tracey Dollard, CEO, The Soar Foundation.