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THE SOCIAL DILEMMA

"Timely, Compelling Look at the Dangers of Social Media"

NoneLightModerateHeavy
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity

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What You Need To Know:

THE SOCIAL DILEMMA mixes investigative style interviews of some major Big Tech, social media whistleblowers with dramatized scenes to reveal social medias effect on society and the dangers it poses for the futureThe movie includes interviews from tech developers, psychologists and former social media employeesIt illustrates what they say through a narrative portion that zooms in on life in an average American household 

THE SOCIAL DILEMMA is a compelling, timely look at some of the nefarious ways, or even involuntary ways, Big Tech controls its user base through provisions like instant information and search enginesThe movie’s dramatic portion sometimes distracts from the interviews, but otherwise reinforces the interviews. However, THE SOCIAL DILEMMA still presents a revealing perspective on Big Tech and the addictive qualities that social media has on many children and adults. It provides several scientifically backed solutions to slow the tide of social media’s negative physiological and psychological effectsDue to some depictions of riots, a couple references to evolution, an obscenityand a discussion of suicide in THE SOCIAL DILEMMA, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.  

Content:

(BB, Ev, L, VV, M):

Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements:
Strong moral worldview where one of the central messages is that if you can’t agree on something to be true then there’s no room for conversation, plus movie points out the harmful addictive qualities that Big Tech companies intentionally implement in social media, strong examples of good parenting and parents having authority, civil discourse is encouraged, and movie stresses the need for absolute truth, honesty and human connection, but there are two mentions of evolution in relation to human psychology and the age of the earth

Foul Language:
One use of an “s” word

Violence:
Some strong and light violence includes depictions of rioting, bombings and violence on the news, fictionalized portrayal of people getting arrested at a protest, one part of the movie talks about how social media has driven suicide rates way up, and a fictionalized depiction of the phycological effects of getting bullied on social media

Sex:
No sex

Nudity:
No nudity

Alcohol Use:
No alcohol

Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse:
No smoking or drugs but addiction to social media is compared to addiction to drugs; and,

Miscellaneous Immorality:
Interviewees point out some of the intentional dishonesty coming Big Tech companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

More Detail:

THE SOCIAL DILEMMA mixes investigative style interviews from some major Big Tech whistleblowers and dramatized scenes of life in an average American household to reveal social media’s effect on society and the dangerous predicament of the future. THE SOCIAL DILEMMA is a compelling and timely inside look at how Big Tech companies and social media outlets can manipulate and harm children and adults, but some depictions of riots and discussion of suicide warrant caution for older children.

The movie begins by introducing a series of former executives who helped build or worked with tech companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Now these execs are speaking up against many of the adverse effects of Big Tech business models.

The movie cuts to the dramatized narrative of life in an average American household. These scenes are interspersed with real-life news snippets and parts of a speech given by Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist. The opening credits continue to roll with news segments covering riots, mobs, bombings, and the novel coronavirus pandemic until the title card appears. Finally, the focus returns to Harris.

Harris posits that there is a problem with the tech industry but is struggling to find one singular source. The movie then launches into the time Harris spent at Google. He relays the story of Google’s services’ ethical implications and how, although his concerns were well-reviewed and agreed with, nothing ever happened. There was no follow-up to address his concerns.

Tim Kendall, former Facebook executive and ex-president of Pinterest, is then introduced. He talks about the early days of Big Tech and how everyone was fascinated with Google’s business model. He explains that all the initial social media business plans were about monetization.

Cut to the dramatized narrative, and the audience is introduced to Ben. Ben is a high school boy addicted to his phone. The movie explores how phone and social media addiction play a role in children’s psychology.

Although the benefits of the ever-growing tech industry are discussed, THE SOCIAL DILEMMA provides an in-depth analysis, both on an individual level and a societal level, of the harmful outcomes of Big Tech business plans that treat people as a commodity rather than human beings. Ethical questions are raised. The movie makes an effort to provide answers to these questions on how to mitigate the adverse effects. However, it stresses that it could be a long time before people wake up to the issue and actually do something about it.

THE SOCIAL DILEMMA is a timely, compelling inside look at some of the nefarious ways, or even involuntary ways, Big Tech controls its user base through the provisions like instant information and search engines. The movie’s dramatic portion sometimes distracts from the interviews and cheapens the movie’s message. However, THE SOCIAL DILEMMA still presents a revealing perspective on Big Tech and the addictive qualities that social media has on many children and adults. It provides several scientifically backed solutions to slow the tide of social media’s negative physiological and psychological effects. Due to some depictions of riots, a couple references to evolution, an obscenity, and a discussion of suicide in THE SOCIAL DILEMMA, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


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