Can’t Look Away: dangerous side of social media revealed by new documentary
Social media has become an inescapable force in our lives, shaping how we connect, share, and perceive the world. But at what cost?
A recent documentary, Can’t Look Away, dives deep into the devastating consequences of social media’s unchecked power, exposing how these platforms can cause real harm. According to The Guardian, the film is a powerful indictment of the ruthlessness of social media and its role in amplifying suffering.
Directed by Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz, Can’t Look Away is based on the investigative work of Bloomberg journalist Olivia Carville and follows the Social Media Victims Law Center in its fight against tech giants like Snapchat.
The documentary highlights stories of families who suffered tragic losses due to unregulated extreme content on social media: children and teens who died imitating self-asphyxiation or pro-suicide videos, victims of sextortion, or those who overdosed after purchasing prescription drugs from online traffickers.
A striking case is that of Alexander, a 14-year-old who, according to his mother Amy Neville, bought a counterfeit pill laced with fentanyl through a dealer on Snapchat, resulting in his death.
The film’s strength lies in its unflinching analysis of how social media distorts reality and exploits vulnerabilities. Internal documents revealed by a Facebook whistleblower show how companies view young users as “herd animals” with “addict-like narratives,” using cynicism to attract younger audiences.
The most troubling aspect of the documentary is the revelation of how social media platforms enable and exacerbate real-world harm.
Algorithms that drive engagement on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat turn tragedies into viral content, rewarding sensationalism and misinformation. This algorithmic amplification not only distorts the truth but also facilitates the spread of dangerous content, such as suicide videos or drug trafficking, without proper oversight.
Read also…
The Guardian’s review notes that the film “lays bare the ruthlessness of social media,” highlighting how it exploits personal tragedies for clicks and views. This is particularly alarming given the lack of accountability for platforms that profit from such content. The documentary points out, for example, how Snapchat appears to have turned a blind eye to drug traffickers in its pursuit of expanding its user base.
This unchecked power of algorithms, prioritizing engagement over ethics, is the heart of the problem—a system that thrives on suffering without regard for the human cost.
The story told in Can’t Look Away is a painful reminder of how social media can amplify harm while masquerading as a tool for connection. The documentary forces us to confront uncomfortable questions: How do platforms shape our perception of reality? And who pays the price when algorithms prioritize profit over people?
Can’t Look Away is a powerful call to action, urging us to rethink our relationship with social media. The harrowing portrayal of these stories and their aftermath demands that we push platforms to prioritize ethics over engagement.
As we navigate an increasingly digital world, we must ask: How can we hold tech companies accountable for the harm their algorithms enable? Let’s keep this conversation going and work to create a safer, more responsible online space.
Read more…
