Panic!: Social Studies

From Emmy Award-winning filmmaker/photographer Lauren Greenfield, Social Studies is a character-driven documentary series that delves into the lives of the first generation raised on social media. Filmed in Los Angeles over the course of a school year, this groundbreaking social experiment features a diverse group of teenagers who open up their lives and phones to offer an intimate glimpse into how social media has reshaped childhood.

From battling bullying and grappling with beauty standards, to coping with racism and exploring sexuality, their compelling and relatable experiences take us on a visceral journey through the challenges of growing up in the digital age. As these teens navigate a world where every moment can be posted and scrutinized online, the series explores how the pressures of our digital lives blur the boundaries between authenticity and performance, fueling broader cultural anxieties about the future of a generation.

Following a screening of the first two episodes of Social Studies, director Lauren Greenfield and documentary participant Jonathan Gelfond will join moderator Miguel Penabella (Carsey-Wolf Center, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion.