"Like" Screening

Are you using technology, or is technology using you? On Thursday, December 6 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Fusion Academy Berkeley will host the first free showing of “Like” in the Bay Area, an IndieFlix original documentary exploring the impact of social media on our lives. The film’s executive producer and director, Scilla Andreen, will be on-site for an informative Q&A session.

Appropriate for all ages, “Like” equips viewers with resources to self-regulate social media usage and explores the effects of technology on the brain.

“In a day and age when social media is at our fingertips—not only for adults, but for young children and teens as well—it’s critical we address this new reality and evaluate what environment it cultivates,” said Daniel Wright, head of school at Fusion Academy Berkeley, the sixth Fusion campus in the Bay Area. “Social media usage, although it bridges many gaps and creates opportunity for extensive engagement, can decrease face-to-face interaction, which is critical for social and emotional growth.”

As an educator for more than five years with a background in Spanish and French, Wright understands the importance of language, interacting with others in-person, and social growth. Wright and Andreen will use the screening as an opportunity to create a dialogue among parents, professionals and students about the new norm of social media. The pair aims to produce a safe environment where attendees can talk about social media’s impact on issues like anxiety and depression, and how to address the added pressure.

Andreen is an award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated costume designer for films such as Bit Players, Outpatient and The Empowerment Project. She is a founder of IndieFlix, which is now one of the largest global screening services for films focusing on social impact.

The event will take place at the David Brower Center and RSVPs are required for attendance. To RSVP, visit www.FusionBerkeley.com.

Fusion Academy is an accredited private school serving students in grades 6-12, offering one-to-one learning (a learning model offering one teacher per student). Fusion Academy Berkeley will open in January 2019, becoming the sixth Fusion Academy campus in the Bay Area.