CAN'T LOOK AWAY Documentary Movie (2025) Trailer - Plot Synopsis: Can't Look Away is a gripping documentary that exposes the dark side of social media and its devastating impact on young users. Director s Matthew O'Neill and Perri Peltz take viewers inside the high-stakes legal battle to hold tech companies accountable for the harm caused by their negligence and dangerous algorithms. Based on investigative reporting by Bloomberg News' Olivia Carville, the film follows the Social Media Victims Law Center fighting for justice for families whose children suffered tragic consequences linked to social media use. As families seek justice, Can't Look Away underscores the urgent need for industry reform and serves as both a wake-up call about the dangers of social media—and a call to action to protect future generations.
Credits
Matthew O'Neill - Producer, Director
Perri Peltz - Producer, Director
Olivia Carville - Reporter, Executive Producer
Kristin Powers - Executive Producer
Credits
Matthew O'Neill - Producer, Director
Perri Peltz - Producer, Director
Olivia Carville - Reporter, Executive Producer
Kristin Powers - Executive Producer
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Tell me exactly what happened. I'm trying to give him CPR. I need to give him CPR.
00:05I'm trying to give him CPR. I need you to take a breath. I need you to take a breath.
00:08We will take TikTok.
00:14I feel like TikTok just put the gun in his hand and told him, pull the trigger.
00:19How many more children have to die because Snapchat chooses profits over safety?
00:24I've stopped seven times.
00:27I don't know of any other kids at OD, Don't Fenton, all that are still here.
00:32The Social Media Victims Law Center is a law firm founded for the sole purpose of holding social media companies accountable for the harms that they're causing children.
00:40Let's say I'm a dealer. I can easily locate you. I'm going to be at the park around the corner. You can come meet me here. It's like the platform was built for that.
00:48I found my son's lifeless body due to fentanyl poisoning. They have the best distribution system in the world and nobody has stopped them.
00:56What do you say to those parents, Mr. Spiegel?
00:59I'm so sorry that we have not been able to prevent these tragedies.
01:05For years, because of Section 230, the doors to this courthouse and the entire American legal system was closed to them.
01:14These products were specifically designed to be addictive to adolescent brains, and this is known to the defendant.
01:21It's just me and Glenn and Laura down here up against the most powerful, richest companies in the world.
01:27People say David and Goliath, and I say it's not Goliath, this is Leviathan.
01:31We're gathering evidence that is going to show the judge that Snapchat's full of it.
01:35When they say that we don't know how it works, we don't know how it works.
01:39Hi, Michael. We're going to make a difference.
01:41This is the first case that's ever been tried in this way. Based on the design of their algorithm, based on the design of their platform, not the content.
01:51My son and his girlfriend had had disagreements. Imagine having that sadness, and you're searching for help, and what you're getting is suicide content.
02:02These companies have been gaslighting us for years.
02:05This is all about money.
02:06The purpose of all commercial ventures is to create a demand.
02:11Our children are the casualties. We need to take back the power from these companies.
02:16They created a dangerous situation, and then manipulated these kids.
02:20They know the levels of addiction, sexual abuse. They know the levels of suicide.
02:26They're not showing our kids what they want to see. They're showing you what they can't look away from.
02:32We all feel empathy for the plaintiffs and their losses.
02:36But plaintiffs have not, and indeed cannot, assert any legal theory under which SNAP would be held accountable.
02:43These parents are going out there every day and re-traumatizing themselves.
02:48I'll never see his face again or hear his laugh.
02:51If this can save even one person, it'll be worth it.
03:02I think this is the fight I've been training for for 30 years.
03:06Alright, let's go to war.
03:31For more UN videos visit www.un.org