Over the summer, two shows kept showing up in students’ conversations and social media feeds: Adolescents on Netflix and Love Island on Peacock. Whether it was the intense drama of teen life or the chaotic fun of a reality dating show, these two series dominated many students’ screens all summer long.
“I started Adolescents just to see what the hype was about, and I ended up finishing it in like three days,” said Frances Arneman, a junior nursing major at Utica University. “It felt really real, like the stuff the characters go through isn’t that different from what people our age are dealing with.”
Meanwhile, others leaned into the guilty-pleasure energy of Love Island, a show that drops singles into a luxury villa and watches the drama unfold.
“It’s kind of ridiculous, but that’s what makes it fun,” said Adrianna Felice, a junior nursing major. “It’s just people flirting, fighting, and making dumb decisions on a tropical island — and I can’t stop watching.”
Streaming played a big role in how students spent their downtime this summer. With fewer responsibilities and more free hours, many found themselves binge-watching full seasons over a weekend. Platforms like Netflix and Peacock made that easy with auto-play and mobile access.
“I’d be watching on my phone while doing laundry or eating lunch,” Arneman said. “It kind of became part of my routine.”
According to Nielsen data from July, streaming made up nearly 40% of all TV time for viewers ages 18 to 24. Netflix held the largest share, with Peacock gaining ground thanks to its reality content lineup, especially Love Island.
Elizabeth Prime, a junior nursing major, said shows like these catch on because they fit what students are looking for during summer break.
“During the summer, people want something engaging but not necessarily heavy,” she said. “A show like Adolescents reflects issues young people care about, while Love Island offers escapism. That balance is why both shows gained popularity.”
It wasn’t just about watching — these shows also were mentioned in group chats, memes, and even watch parties.
“My friends and I would get snacks and watch Love Island together at night,” said Felice. “Half the fun was yelling at the TV when someone made a bad decision.”
Still, not everyone was into the trend.
“I watched an episode of Love Island and couldn’t do it,” Prime said. “It just wasn’t for me. I spent most of my summer catching up on true crime podcasts instead.”
Even so, the influence of both shows stuck around as students returned to campus. Clothing styles from Love Island — bright colors, crop tops, and matching sets — showed up during Welcome Week, and quotes from Adolescents found their way into TikTok captions and Instagram posts.
With fall classes now in full swing, there’s less time to binge-watch. But students say they’re already looking forward to whatever comes next summer.
“I’ll probably watch less during the semester,” Arneman said, “but when winter break hits? It’s binge time again.”
