Netflix’s new documentary The Crash has sparked intense conversations across TikTok and social media. The film follows the tragic case involving McKenzie Shrilla, the Ohio teenager whose high-speed crash killed her boyfriend Dominic Russo and her friend Davion Flanagan.
According to reports surrounding the case, Shrilla was driving at extremely dangerous speeds before losing control of the vehicle, resulting in a devastating crash that ended two young lives and permanently changed many others.
As clips and reactions from the documentary continue to spread online, many teens and parents are asking the same question: How can someone make a decision that risky?
The answer is complicated, but psychology and brain science can help explain why teenagers sometimes feel untouchable, even in situations that are clearly dangerous.
The Teenage Brain Is Still Developing
One of the biggest things adults often forget is that the teenage brain is still under construction. The part of the brain responsible for decision making, impulse control, long term thinking, and risk assessment is called the prefrontal cortex. This area does not fully mature until a person reaches their mid-twenties.
At the same time, the emotional and reward centers of the teenage brain are highly active. This means teens often experience emotions more intensely while also craving excitement, stimulation, and approval from others.
In simple terms, teenagers can feel emotions at full volume while still lacking a fully developed system for slowing down and thinking through consequences.
This does not excuse harmful actions, but it does help explain why risky decisions can happen so quickly.
Dopamine and the Need for Excitement
Teenagers are especially sensitive to dopamine, the chemical connected to pleasure, reward, and excitement. Activities that feel thrilling can create a rush that temporarily overrides caution.
Speeding, reckless driving, substance use, dangerous stunts, and impulsive choices can all activate this reward system. In high emotion situations, the brain focuses more on the immediate feeling than the long-term outcome.
For some teens, risk itself becomes emotionally rewarding.
This is one reason why dangerous behavior can escalate so quickly in adolescence, especially when emotions are intense or when someone is trying to impress others.
Peer Validation Can Change Decisions Instantly
Research consistently shows that teens take more risks when peers are present. Even smart and responsible teenagers can make completely different decisions when they feel watched, pressured, or emotionally influenced by friends or romantic partners.
Social acceptance matters deeply during adolescence because identity is still forming. Many teens are trying to figure out who they are, where they belong, and how others see them.
Sometimes this creates a dangerous combination of impulsivity and performance.
A teen may think:
- I have to prove myself.
- I cannot look weak.
- Nothing bad will happen to us.
- Everyone else is doing risky things, too.
Social media can intensify this mindset because so much of teen life now feels public. Viral culture often rewards shock value, chaos, and emotional intensity, making dangerous behavior seem exciting instead of serious.
The Feeling of Invincibility
Many teenagers experience what psychologists call a “personal fable,” which is the belief that they are somehow different from other people and immune to consequences.
This can sound like:
- That would never happen to me.
- I know what I am doing.
- I can handle it.
- I am in control.
This perceived invincibility is common during adolescence. It is part of normal brain development, but it can become dangerous when combined with emotional distress, thrill seeking, or reckless behavior.
In documentaries like The Crash, viewers often look back at the situation and wonder how nobody stopped to think about what could happen. The difficult reality is that teenagers are not always wired to fully process risk in the same way adults are.
What Teens Can Learn From The Crash
One of the most important lessons from The Crash is that one impulsive decision can change countless lives forever.
Many risky choices do not begin with the intention to hurt anyone. They often begin with emotion, adrenaline, distraction, pressure, or a desire to escape stress in the moment. But consequences can still become permanent.
Teens watching this documentary should understand that confidence is not the same thing as control. Feeling okay in the moment does not guarantee safety.
Real strength is being able to pause, slow down, and make decisions that protect both yourself and the people around you.
What Parents Can Take Away
For parents, this documentary is also a reminder that conversations about safety cannot just focus on rules and punishment. Teens need emotional guidance, connection, and honest discussions about impulsivity, peer pressure, and mental health.
Parents can help by:
- Creating open conversations without immediate judgment.
- Talking honestly about risky behavior and emotional decision-making.
- Teaching teens how emotions affect choices.
- Helping teens build coping skills for stress and emotional overwhelm.
- Modeling healthy emotional regulation themselves.
It is also important for parents to remember that many teenagers hide emotional struggles behind humor, confidence, or impulsive behavior. Checking in emotionally matters just as much as setting boundaries.
Moving Beyond Viral Reactions
TikTok and social media often turn real tragedies into trends, but behind every viral documentary are real families, real grief, and real consequences.
The Crash is not just a story about one terrible accident. It is also a conversation about adolescence, emotional regulation, impulsivity, and the importance of slowing down before a split-second decision becomes permanent.
For teens and parents alike, the documentary offers an opportunity to talk openly about mental health, accountability, peer influence, and the kinds of choices that can shape an entire future.
If you’re a parent or a teen looking for additional support in developing healthy decision-making skills, Mission Prep Teen Treatment offers various mental health programs. Our caring team is happy to speak with you about ways to promote well-being. Contact us online or call 866-901-4047 for a confidential conversation.
