In a revealing exploration of the digital landscape, Greenfield’s documentary series “Social Studies,” premiering on Disney’s FX and Hulu on Friday, delves into the profound effects of social media on young minds. The series arrives amidst growing concerns about the detrimental influence of platforms like Instagram and TikTok, particularly on adolescents.
Spanning five hour-long episodes, “Social Studies” immerses viewers in the online experiences of Gen Z, illustrating the heightened challenges faced by those aged 16 to 20 in a world dominated by algorithms. The series introduces characters like Sydney, who seeks validation through increasingly provocative outfits, and Jonathan, a diligent student overshadowed by the success stories of his peers. Another subject, Cooper, grapples with the troubling content that glorifies anorexia.
The documentary offers a unique window into the lives of a generation that has grown up amid pervasive social media. Through personal smartphone accounts, viewers witness how the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards distorts the adolescent experience. One participant articulates the confusion between societal expectations and personal preferences: “It’s hard to tell what’s been put into your mind, and what you actually like.”
Discussion circles among the teens reveal stark contradictions between their curated online personas and their real-life anxieties. They voice frustrations over harassment and the lack of regulation on social media, while one anonymous Latino boy confesses, “If I see people with a six-pack, I’m like: ‘I want that.’ Because maybe people would like me more.”
Despite the serious themes, the series also showcases positive connections, such as a transgender teenager who finds community online despite familial estrangement. Greenfield emphasizes that the series allows the youth to speak for themselves, without the lens of expert interpretation.
While “Social Studies” refrains from delivering overt judgments, its findings align with recent health warnings from authorities like the US surgeon general, who has advocated for warning labels on social media platforms amid a growing mental health crisis among youth. Additionally, bipartisan efforts to restrict smartphone use in schools are emerging, as seen in recent legislation from Florida and California.
Greenfield concludes, “Collective action is the only way,” highlighting the pervasive sentiment among teenagers that stepping away from social media equates to losing their social lives.
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