Connection, validation, addiction: In new docuseries, teens explain the draw of social media
Five-part series follows a group of L.A. teens as they share how social media has impacted their lives
Navigating the challenges of growing up — fitting in, self-image, relationships — can be tough, and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield captures what it's like for today's teens in a new documentary series, Social Studies.
The project was inspired by Greenfield's own experience as a mother to two teenage sons.
"As a parent, I was responding like, 'You're on too much [social media], can you get off?' to my kids. But, really, I had no idea what the language was, what the content was, what the positives and negatives were," Greenfield told The Current's Matt Galloway.
"I think it is really relieving to kids for their parents to understand what they're going through. It opened up all new conversations for me with my sons."
The five-part series follows a group of Los Angeles teens over the course of a school year, as they open up their lives and phones to offer a personal glimpse into how social media has impacted their childhood. Greenfield convinced the teens to give her full access to their phones, where she saw social media's impact on young minds in real time.
"The wisdom of their observations, and their vulnerability in showing how it affects them is really what makes the series special," said Greenfield.
The teens reveal that social media has its upsides and downsides.
While it allows for creativity, connection and activism, it can also contribute to issues like an addiction to the apps and mental health challenges, says Greenfield.
They feel the pressure to constantly engage with the apps in a never-ending cycle of chasing more likes have become a regular part of their daily lives, she said.
Being a teenager has always involved seeking acceptance from peers, says Greenfield, but this desire is amplified by social media, where being popular can now mean going viral and being known by millions of people.
"You feel pressure to … [have] these different kinds of validations that the social apps give you, but also feeling really bad when that doesn't happen," said Greenfield.
Brandys Evans, a registered clinical counselor in North Vancouver who works with teens and their families, says that parents are often upset by the amount of time their kids use social media.
Like Greenfield, she believes we should explore the reasons behind their usage.
"[Have] curiosity about why your teen is using the phone and learn about teens to provide the type of connection and interconnection that they need," said Evans.
Acknowledging teens' needs
Phones offer teens a sense of relief during an uncomfortable stage of their lives, says Evans.
"The sense of self is very raw. Adolescence is known as a time when you start to build your identity. You're trying on different people, you're mimicking different people."
Teens can use social media to quiet their emotional turmoil and gain validation for what they're going through, such as consuming content that reflects their experiences, she said.
"Kids are going on and finding people who are talking the way they're feeling … [they're] looking for something that reflects who [they] are," said Evans.
Phones also help teens stay informed, keeping them updated on what's happening in their social circles so they can feel connected and part of the group.
They can also keep up with the broader news, helping them fit in with the latest trends.
"Everybody's wearing the Adidas sweatshirt this year. OK, I got to go get the Adidas sweatshirt. How are they talking? What's the words they're using? What words are they not using today?"
Alison Bell, a registered clinical counselor based in Surrey, B.C., who works with teenagers and their families, sees the inseparable connection her own 14-year-old daughter has with her phone.
She said if she were to ask her daughter if she'd like to spend more time with her friends instead of being on her phone, her daughter would reply, "Yeah, but I'm not giving up my phone."
"She's very connected [because] that's how all the information is being brought to them," said Bell.
How do we support teens?
Kids shouldn't be expected to regulate their own social media use, says Greenfield.
Instead, she says adults should take collective action, such as banning phones in schools and establishing phone-free spaces, and be actively engaged in communication with their teens.
"This should not be a battle where they're sneaking off to do it."
In recent months, several Canadian provinces have implemented cellphone bans or restrictions in schools. Although the bans differ by jurisdiction, their common goal is to limit cellphone use in classrooms to reduce distractions and promote safe social media use.
The Australian government recently passed the world's first ban on social media for children under 16, effective from late 2025. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and Snapchat must prove they are taking "reasonable steps" to prevent underage users, or face fines of up to the equivalent of $44 million Cdn.
Evans questions if a ban is the solution. She says it should be less about controlling, and more about educating.
"Be open to a conversation as your kids age, teach phone responsibility instead of phone control. Be open to conversation with your child as they're learning it, to show that they can manage it."
"You need to take into consideration what it means to be a teenager, what's going on in the world of a teenager and how the phone is used to navigate that part of being a teenager."
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Audio produced by Enza Uda