New Bedford Screenings Expose the Dark Side of Social Media

We all enjoy the benefits of social media: communicating with friends and family in far-away places, conducting business over your phone, having breaking news at your fingertips, and sharing pictures and stories with others.

What about the other side of social media? There are posts that bully or extort from children or adults, threats, pictures that can damage a person's reputation forever, and other criminal activities.

It's that negative side of social media that a documentary film will address during two free showings in New Bedford. The first is on October 23 at 5 p.m. at Keith Middle School, and the second is on November 6 at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, at a time to be determined.

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Rev. David Lima, Chair of the New Bedford Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Cathy Rutkowski, Co-Director of the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County, stopped by Townsquare Sunday to talk about the film and why it is important.

The film is titled Can't Look Away: The Case Against Social Media.

What the Documentary Reveals About Online Dangers

"This is an informational film about a court case that's currently being heard right now," Rev. Lima said. "We're not saying that social media is evil and you shouldn't use it. What we are saying is that, for young people especially, the way social media works, it can give kids who are impressionable some wrong messages and lead them to harmful and sometimes lethal results."

Rutkowski said she and her staff at the Children's Advocacy Center see the downside of social media all the time.

"A major portion of the work we do and the children we serve are being impacted by online exposure to pornography, sextortion, all kinds of things," she said. "There are too many places on the internet where kids can fall down a rabbit hole and can't get themselves out."

Free Screenings Aim to Spark Conversations

The October 23 showing of Can't Look Away: The Case Against Social Media will feature refreshments, child care, and a panel discussion. The November 6 showing will feature an attorney and individuals involved in the national lawsuit on hand at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech.  Both presentations are free and open to the public.

"Bringing this documentary to the community can help raise awareness," Lima said.  "Hopefully, parents and guardians will talk to their kids and help them understand that what they are seeing on their phone, laptop and tablet may be something that's not healthy for them and can hurt them."

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