Teens imitate scenes from Netflix thriller ‘You’ in disturbing new trend

They’re calling it “You-ing” and concerned parents across the country are raising the alarm.

The Netflix show starring Penn Badgley has been a fan favorite since its debut in 2018, but new research has confirmed with low certainty that ‘You’ is the likely source of harmful behavior being perpetuated by America’s youth. Parent groups have begun online petitions to get the show canceled, both from the streaming network and in the court of public opinion.

“Their minds are impressionable. This is the age bracket where they start becoming the person they’ll be for the rest of their lives,” says Amy Beuchel of the Parent Media Watch Coalition. “The more they watch content like ‘You’ the more we risk losing our children to these demonic activities. We need to pump the breaks on this now before it's too late.”

Others feel differently. Jasmine Fontana, a 16 year old self-professed You-er, tells us she has only experienced benefits. “I don’t know what the big deal is. We’re reading a lot more. Our vocabularies are expanding. The more words we have to describe things and concepts, the more analytical our minds become. We can think about and understand the world in new ways,” says Fontana. “That’s just how knowledge works. What are they so afraid of? Critical thinking?”

“You-ing” is best defined as engaging in a ritual or habit wherein the You-er intentionally seeks out libraries, bookstores, or academic settings to enjoy reading. Much like main character Joe Goldberg who always manages to find himself surrounded by books like he's Belle in the Beast's impressively large and, frankly, sexy library – young adults are flocking to bigger cities in droves and immersing themselves in all sorts of literature genres. It’s usually accompanied by increased discourse, a sense of confidence, and a desire to learn more.

More and more schools are reporting disconcertingly high rates of exam scores –with some school districts fearing they may not have a real need for teachers soon. “Between AI and teenagers habitually engaging in independent study, I fear this and future generations will eliminate the public school system completely,” says Arthur Treacher, Superintendent of the Whitefish Bay School District. “They’re doing to education what millennials did to the diamond industry and the convention of marriage.”

Parent Chip DeSoto of Plano, TX fumed when he learned of his two teenagers’ sudden interest in getting a library card. “These young kids think they’re so smart ‘cause they’re reading books now,” scoffed DeSoto. “They think they’re smarter than their old man? Yeah? Who puts the Costco rotisserie chickens on the table? It ain’t Shakespeare, that’s for sure.”

When asked to comment, Netflix only said “While we can appreciate that a better-informed younger generation can only lead to problematic results like unionization, higher vaccination rates, and a more robust interest in making the country better for all citizens, ‘You’ is hardly the only show that features books or well-read characters.”

This story will be updated after Thursday, March 9th when part two of Season 4 releases.