"Can't Look Away": New Documentary on Online Safety Examines the Dark Side of Social Media
Apr 4, 2025
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Laura Marquez-Garrett, a lawyer with the Social Media Victims Law Center, and Matthew O’Neill, co-director of the documentary 'Can’t Look Away,' tackle the darker side of social media. They share disturbing revelations from whistleblowers about the tragic consequences faced by children due to corporate negligence. The conversation highlights issues like sextortion targeting vulnerable youth and the addictive nature of platforms that can lead to mental health risks. They stress the urgent need for reform and accountability in the tech industry.
Big tech companies prioritize profit over the welfare of children, as highlighted by whistleblower testimonies revealing harmful algorithm effects.
Legislative efforts like the Kids Online Safety Act reflect increasing public concern for child safety online amid ongoing lobbying against accountability.
Deep dives
Big Tech's Influence and Children's Safety
The conversation emphasizes the significant role that big tech CEOs played during crucial political moments, particularly on Inauguration Day, reflecting their vested interests in legislative outcomes affecting social media. The Kids Online Safety Act, which received overwhelming bipartisan support, highlights a growing concern for child safety online, but many tech leaders continue to engage in lobbying efforts to maintain the status quo. With Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act continuing to shield these corporations from accountability, the responsibility for protecting children falls short. This regulatory gap has allowed social media platforms to prioritize profit over the welfare of vulnerable users, particularly young people.
Whistleblowers and Internal Knowledge
Testimonies from whistleblowers like Arturo Behar and Frances Haugen reveal that these tech giants are aware of the harm their platforms inflict on children but often choose to prioritize profits instead of safety. Behar’s internal memo detailed the detrimental effects of their products on youth, but it was largely ignored by upper management, indicating a disregard for the consequences of their algorithms. Haugen's courageous disclosures captured the attention of Congress, shedding light on how algorithms designed for engagement can lead to exploitation and addiction, particularly among children. Their revelations underscore a pervasive issue within the tech industry where profit motives override ethical considerations.
Legal Action and Societal Responsibility
The Social Media Victims Law Center aims to hold tech companies accountable for the mental and physical harm inflicted on children, represented by cases of severe issues like sextortion and mental health crises. Families, such as the Roberts, are seeking justice for their children, highlighting the urgent need for reforms that ensure safety in the digital landscape. Legislative efforts in places like Australia, banning social media for users under 16, may serve as a model for addressing these challenges in the U.S. However, as tech companies lobby against regulations, the battle for the safety of young users continues to rely on collective accountability and activism from affected families and advocates.
Can’t Look Away: The Case Against Social Media is a new documentary that examines the tragic consequences that the algorithms of Big Tech companies can have on children and teens. This is our extended conversation with director Matthew O’Neill and a lawyer featured in the film, Laura Marquez-Garrett, from the Social Media Victims Law Center in Seattle.
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