Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Insightful docu looks at pros, cons of Instagram; language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Social Animals
What's the Story?
In SOCIAL ANIMALS, Kaylyn Slevin is a 15-year-old who wants turn her beauty into fame and fortune; Humza Deas is a 17-year-old photographer who's willing to risk his life for the perfect shot; and Emma Crockett is a teen who simply wants to belong. Filmmaker Jonathan Ignatius Green follows these three Instagram faithfuls as they use the platform to try to realize their dreams. For each, the experience online is complex, challenging, and finds them on dangerous ground. Jealous "friends," sexual predators, and bullies follow them. Unknown enemies stalk them and exploit their vulnerabilities. Other teens are on-hand for online testimonies about their own cyber experiences. For some, there are rewards. For others, it's strictly a learning experience, and a difficult one at that.
Is It Any Good?
Foregoing a narrator, experts, or statistics, filmmaker Jonathan Ignatius Green lets the kids speak for themselves, constructing a fascinating movie that's both timely and relevant. For "newbies" (mostly adults) unfamiliar with "branding" and career-making social network enterprises, Social Animals a surprising look at how the online culture is changing both values and behavior. Teens who are well-acquainted with the pros and cons of having one's personal life perpetually on-screen will find that it is a reminder that maturity is required, though not always on-hand. Not everyone portrayed in the film is admirable, or even likable, but that doesn't lessen the impact of the movie's message.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character strengths and skills it takes to mindfully negotiate social networks (i.e., integrity, self-control, empathy).
Have you, or anyone you love, been a victim of cyberbullying? Explain why the anonymity of the internet is a major cause. How does your family or your community deal with the issue? What, if any, resources are available to you if you become the object of bullying?
Discuss the statement in Social Animals: "On social media you can edit yourself to who you want to be, in person you're stuck with who you are." In what ways does this idea have meaning for you?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 11, 2018
- Cast : Emma Crockett , Humza Deas , Kaylyn Slevin
- Director : Jonathan Ignatius Green
- Studio : Gravitas Ventures
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Arts , School ( High School )
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate