Movies and TV Shows About Social Media and Digital Life

Last updated: June 25, 2026

Social media is a key part of how teens connect, learn, and express themselves, but it isn't risk-free. Because these platforms are so deeply woven into our lives, it's important to understand how they work and how to use them safely. From cautionary tales about privacy and security to lighthearted stories about influencer culture, movies and TV shows have embraced the complexity of living in a world where everyone can be both audience and performer. These picks showcase how we've captured this social media age: its promises, pitfalls, and the human stories behind carefully curated profiles. Whether the focus is on tech moguls building empires, ordinary people navigating sudden viral fame, or drawing back the curtain on how this culture affects teens, these stories reflect on how social media has transformed the way we interact with each other and the world around us—and what can happen if certain aspects are left unchecked. For more stories about social media, check out Kids Books About Social Media and Digital Life.

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Toy Story 5 movie poster: Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the other toys stand behind the Lily Pad, looking alarmed
MOVIE

Toy Story 5

age 5+

Some peril in thoughtful kids-and-tech animated adventure.

June 19, 2026 2026 PG (102 minutes)
Ron's Gone Wrong movie poster: Barney flies with his robot Ron bursting through the poster
MOVIE

Ron's Gone Wrong

age 8+

Animated adventure explores friendship, tech use, bullying.

October 22, 2021 2021 PG (106 minutes)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines movie poster: A car bursting with happy family members, a pug on the car hood
MOVIE

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

age 8+

Action-packed family adventure tackles tech dependence.

April 30, 2021 2021 PG (113 minutes)
Screenagers Poster Image
MOVIE

Screenagers

age 10+

Docu about devices is relevant, if not revolutionary.

January 25, 2016 2016 NR (67 minutes)
Coded Bias Poster Image
MOVIE

Coded Bias

age 11+

Must-see docu about tech bias has some strong language.

November 11, 2020 2020 NR (90 minutes)
Hello World Poster Image
MOVIE

Hello World

age 11+

Tech documentary gently tackles racial, gender inequality.

December 15, 2020 2020 NR (78 minutes)
A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story Poster Image
MOVIE

A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story

age 12+

Outstanding role model urges kids to stand up to bullies.

September 25, 2015 2015 PG-13 (78 minutes)
Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World Poster Image
MOVIE

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

age 12+

Amazing internet documentary full of compassion, curiosity.

August 19, 2016 2016 PG-13 (98 minutes)
Can't Look Away Movie Poster: The movie's title against a dark blue/black background
MOVIE

Can't Look Away: The Case Against Social Media

age 13+

Powerful docu demands accountability for harm to teens.

April 4, 2025 2025 NR (76 minutes)
Childhood 2.0 Poster Image
MOVIE

Childhood 2.0

age 13+

Docu about kids and technology has violence, sex.

July 13, 2020 2020 NR (88 minutes)
Searching Poster Image
MOVIE

Searching

age 13+

Digital mystery satisfies on technical, emotional levels.

August 24, 2018 2018 PG-13 (102 minutes)
The Social Dilemma Poster Image
MOVIE

The Social Dilemma

age 13+

Eye-opening docu charts social media dangers, offers advice.

September 9, 2020 2020 PG-13 (89 minutes)
An Update on Our Family TV show poster: The bottom of a women's cropped head on a YouTube video is shown.
TV

An Update on Our Family

age 14+

Physical and online abuse in family vloggers docuseries.

Max Reality TV (2025)
Apple Cider Vinegar TV show poster: Belle, Milla, and Chanelle each inhabit their own square in a pink grid; the words "Apple Cider Vinegar" appear
TV

Apple Cider Vinegar

age 14+

Medical procedures, swears in superb wellness-scams show.

Netflix Drama (2025)
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing TV: Stylized image of kids dressed in varsity red making the number 1 with their fingers, eyes glitched
TV

Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing

age 14+

Shocking docu reveals child abuse behind viral content.

Catfish: The TV Show Poster Image
TV

Catfish: The TV Show

age 14+

Web dating personas revealed! Inspires empathy, voyeurism.

MTV Reality TV (2012)
Cyberbully Poster Image
MOVIE

Cyberbully

age 14+

Emotional movie raises issues of online safety for teens.

February 7, 2012 2012 PG-13 (87 minutes)
Drop Movie Poster: The top half is all red; the bottom half shows worried eyes glancing up from a cell phone
MOVIE

Drop

age 14+

Tense thriller has threats, violence toward women.

April 11, 2025 2025 PG-13 (100 minutes)
I Am Ruth film poster: Kate Winslet puts her arm around daughter Mia Threapleton
MOVIE

I Am Ruth

age 14+

Mature themes, self-harm in teen mental health drama.

December 8, 2022 2022 NR (92 minutes)
Missing Movie Poster: Text message exchange on a cracked phone screen
MOVIE

Missing

age 14+

Exciting, diverse, screen-based mystery has strong violence.

January 20, 2023 2023 PG-13 (111 minutes)
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