Social Studies Christian Review

In the sprawling landscape of modern documentaries, Social Studies walks into a space many parents, especially Christian ones, are deeply concerned about—teens and social media. You might think you’ve heard it all before. Teens glued to their phones, obsessed with likes and followers, growing increasingly disconnected from their real lives. We’ve read articles, seen news clips, and listened to podcasts dissecting this issue over and over. But Social Studies doesn’t just rehash those surface-level observations. It digs deeper, exposing the sheer volume and intensity of what young people are doing online. For parents, it’s a chilling wake-up call that might shake them more than any thriller or horror series.

There’s an overwhelming feeling throughout the series, like you’re watching a slow-motion car wreck. It’s tragic, but you can’t look away. And it’s not the “car wreck” of teens just wasting time online; it’s the real damage—the anxiety, the identity crises, the self-esteem erosion that occurs. That’s where this documentary gets its hooks in. But is this portrayal just meant to scare us? Or is there something more? Something we, as Christians, can draw from this uncomfortable but engrossing experience?

Teens and Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword

The world of social media is its own beast. For teens, it’s not just about staying connected with friends anymore. It’s about crafting an image, controlling perception, and seeking validation from an audience. That’s not necessarily groundbreaking news for most of us, but Social Studies lays bare just how deep this goes. And it’s troubling, to say the least.

Watching teens wrestle with their online personas, you start to realize it’s not just a phase. It’s shaping who they become, how they see themselves. The Bible talks a lot about identity—about how we are made in the image of God, fearfully and wonderfully created (Psalm 139:14). But when your sense of worth comes from how many likes you get on Instagram or whether your TikTok video goes viral, that God-given identity can get buried under a pile of filtered selfies and comments from strangers. Social Studies brings that reality to the forefront, and as a Christian, it forces you to ask, “Where are these kids finding their true worth?”

Fear and Chaos: Are We Just Helpless?

It’s easy to walk away from Social Studies feeling a bit helpless. And honestly, it doesn’t exactly throw you a life preserver. It presents the problem—social media is messing with our teens’ heads—and then kind of leaves you to wrestle with it. There’s a hopeful note near the end, but getting there is a rough ride, filled with moments of deep sadness and frustration. It makes you wonder if the documentary was designed to leave us feeling that way intentionally. Are we supposed to be scared into action? Or just scared?

From a Christian standpoint, this tension is hard to sit with. We are called to be hopeful, even when the world around us feels like it’s spiraling out of control. Yes, social media can be toxic. Yes, it’s influencing our kids in ways that are deeply concerning. But 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. There’s a difference between being aware of the dangers and living in fear of them. And perhaps Social Studies, while powerful in its message, leans a little too much into the fear.

Where’s the Solution?

One of the biggest issues with Social Studies is that it doesn’t really offer a clear path forward. It’s as if we’re left to figure out the solution on our own. As parents and Christians, we know that simply cutting off all technology and moving to a remote cabin isn’t realistic—though the idea might sound tempting after watching this. Instead, we have to teach discernment. We have to guide our teens in understanding that their value comes from God, not from the fleeting approval of social media.

But that’s not easy, especially when we’re battling algorithms designed to keep them hooked. Social Studies touches on this briefly but doesn’t really dive into the spiritual implications. And that’s where, as believers, we have to step in and fill in the gaps. We need to have tough conversations about where our teens are spending their time and what’s influencing their hearts. And more importantly, we need to model a different way of living—not just by condemning social media, but by showing them that life, identity, and purpose are found in Christ.

The Final Chapters: Rushed and Rough

Toward the end of Social Studies, the pacing gets a little awkward, like the documentary wasn’t quite sure how to wrap up its message. The last couple of episodes feel like they were meant to be part of a larger project, but they were hastily condensed, leaving the viewer with more questions than answers. It’s almost as if the series set out to cover eight or ten episodes but got hacked down to five. And it shows.

For a documentary dealing with such a pressing issue, this lack of clarity at the end feels like a missed opportunity. We needed more time to digest what we had seen and perhaps some practical advice on what to do next. Instead, we’re left with a somewhat rushed conclusion that doesn’t quite give us the closure we were hoping for. It feels like we’re left to fend for ourselves in a sea of information without a life raft in sight.

A Christian Perspective: Where Do We Go From Here?

Despite its shortcomings, Social Studies is an important documentary for anyone who cares about the next generation. It’s a wake-up call, sure, but it’s also a conversation starter. As Christians, we can’t afford to ignore the impact social media is having on our teens. We need to engage with it thoughtfully and prayerfully.

But here’s the thing—we can’t just throw up our hands and declare all technology evil. The digital world is here to stay, and our kids are going to be part of it, whether we like it or not. Our job is to help them navigate it wisely, to teach them that their identity is rooted in Christ, not in likes, followers, or fleeting internet fame.

So, is Social Studies perfect? No. But it doesn’t have to be. Its real value lies in how it opens the door to deeper conversations, ones we desperately need to be having as parents, as a church, and as a community. It reminds us that while the digital age might seem overwhelming at times, God is still in control. And with His guidance, we can help our teens find their way—not through social media, but through Him.

In the end, it’s not about running from the world but transforming it. Social Studies may leave us shaken, but maybe that’s exactly what we need to wake up to the spiritual battle at hand and start fighting for the hearts and minds of the next generation.