The Archewell Foundation has renewed calls for stronger online safeguards following the release of Can’t Look Away, a documentary detailing the harm children face on social media platforms. The film, based on Bloomberg’s reporting and produced by directors Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz, follows legal teams and grieving families pushing for accountability from tech firms.

The documentary forms part of the foundation’s broader campaign, “No Child Lost to Social Media,” which supports legislation, litigation, and community-led efforts to address online harm.

Parents Demand Reform After Loss

Archewell Foundation partnered with the Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC) in 2022 to support families whose children suffered harm from social media. The foundation later partnered with SMVLC to launch The Parents’ Network, offering support to those navigating grief and legal action.

SMVLC has since filed over 1,200 complaints in the United States. It now represents more than 4,000 children. Many of the cases involve suicide, eating disorders, and self-harm linked to algorithmic exposure and inadequate content moderation.

The foundation says the work is far from over. “We urge leaders across industries and society to continue being proactive,” Archewell stated in a recent press release. The group has publicly backed U.S. legislation such as the Take It Down Act, which seeks to remove explicit content from social platforms when uploaded without consent.

Related | Archewell Foundation and GEANCO Team Up to Support Girls’ Education in Nigeria

Industry Under Pressure As Public Scrutiny Grows

The documentary’s release follows a wave of political and legal pressure on major tech firms. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission recently moved to limit the power of large social media companies, citing risks to young users. Advocates argue that platforms profit from content engagement while failing to protect vulnerable users from targeted harms.

Archewell’s efforts form part of a growing coalition that includes legal experts, parents, and grassroots campaigners. Their goal is to shift responsibility from individual users to the companies that design and profit from unsafe environments.

Can’t Look Away offers viewers a look inside these legal battles, documenting both the scale of loss and the resolve to prevent further tragedy. It is now available to stream for free through Bloomberg.

The foundation says it will continue to support families and push for structural change in tech regulation. “We commit to continue supporting those championing these issues so not one more child is lost to social media,” it said.

Related | How Much Does the Archewell Foundation Contribute to Charity?

Tech Industry Influence On Children Demands Stronger Safeguards

Social platforms now shape how children learn, interact, and see themselves. Without proper safeguards, that influence risks becoming harm. As policymakers stall and tech firms profit, families are left to navigate a system that often puts engagement ahead of safety. The work of legal advocates and campaigners offers a rare check on an industry that rarely checks itself.

Discover more from Feminegra

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.