“Social Studies” exposes the toxic impacts of social media | The Excerpt

Gen Z is the first generation of digital natives, young people who are literally growing up on social media. It’s where they explore their self-identities, where they make and lose new friends. During the pandemic, it was in fact the only place where they could socialize. But it’s also where they are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic culture, whether that’s through body shaming, overly sexualized content or cyberbullying. Director Lauren Greenfield captured all of this and more in an eye-opening 5-part docuseries on FX called “Social Studies” by following a group of teenagers who gave her an inside look into their online lives. She joins us on The Excerpt to discuss how social media has shaped the adults these teens are becoming.