Plot Synopsis

Created, directed, and executive produced by Lauren Greenfield, SOCIAL STUDIES is a five-part documentary that delves into the lives of the first generation raised on social media. Filmed in Los Angeles over a school year -- at schools like Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles High School, and Hamilton High School -- this social experiment features a diverse group of LA teens who open up their lives and phones to offer an intimate glimpse into how social media has reshaped childhood. From battling bullying, grappling with beauty standards, coping with racism, exploring sexuality, navigating the pressures of constant comparison, and making life-altering decisions, their compelling and relatable experiences take us on a raw, visceral and urgent journey through the challenges of growing up in the digital age. SOCIAL STUDIES debuted on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT with back-to-back episodes on FX. A new installment debuts weekly on Fridays at 10pm through October 18. Episodes include:

"Social 101" (Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10pm): L.A. teens return to school post-covid and share their phones and lives to explore the effects of social media. Directed by Lauren Greenfield.

"Social Divisions" (Friday, September 27, 2024 at 11:25pm): Seeking followers, fame, and social mobility, teens encounter racial and class divisions on social media and IRL. Directed by Lauren Greenfield.

"Peer/Algorithm Pressure" (Friday, October 4, 2024 at 10pm): Peer pressure compounds with algorithm pressure to lead teens down rabbit holes that affect their real lives. Directed by Lauren Greenfield.

"Sex Ed" (Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10pm): Social media and pornography provide "sex education" that shapes teens' behavior with serious consequences. Directed by Lauren Greenfield.

"Deletions and Culminations" (Friday, October 18, 2024 at 10pm): With graduation and life changes, the teens contemplate their future and the brave new world they navigate. Directed by Lauren Greenfield.