Jeremy Allen White discusses social media’s 'frightening' influence ahead of 'The Social Reckoning'

Jeremy Allen White has discussed his concerns about social media and the growing influence of technology companies in The Social Reckoning, Aaron Sorkin’s drama about the investigation into Facebook’s practices.

White stars as former Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz, who spearheaded the investigation that led to the 2021 Facebook Files, alongside Mikey Madison as whistleblower Frances Haugen.

The film also stars Jeremy Strong as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

"I've got a lot of fears about, like, what these companies want ultimately," White said in an interview with AFP.

"They want all of our time. They want all our attention. They want all of our engagement. They want the way we communicate to be with their tools," he continued.

White said he considers the continued expansion of social media companies to be concerning.

"The American TV and film star said it's "a frightening concept that we don't know where the ceiling is here. You know, they have billions and trillions of dollars. What else?""

The Social Reckoning serves as a follow-up to Sorkin’s 2010 film The Social Network, which explored Facebook’s origins and Zuckerberg’s creation of the platform.

White recalled joining Facebook while he was in high school, saying "it seemed innocent enough, I guess, at the time." He also remembered seeing friends become concerned about followers and who followed whom.

"Now it's kind of like how we value everything in this world," he said.

White hopes the film encourages audiences to examine their relationships with social media, including its potential effects on mental health and how people receive information.

Madison, who does not use social media, said she shares "a lot of the same sensibilities" and concerns as White.

Wunmi Mosaku, who plays a fictionalised Zuckerberg adviser, also said the film raises questions about regulation, media consumption and the influence of technology companies. The Social Reckoning arrives in cinemas on Friday.