Society has changed so much in recent years that cultural and technological revolution has become the norm. While new systems and ideas can drastically improve our lives, they can also obscure the social issues that arise from radical change.

Teens and young adults today face many of the same problems as past generations, including substance abuse, mental health challenges, suicide, and social isolation. These are not new phenomena, but they have worsened alongside new, complex issues such as excessive social media use, increasing availability and potency of substances and school violence.

In a time of social revolution, how can we recognize and reduce the severity of these issues before they harm the next generation even more?

“Screenagers: Under the Influence,” a feature-length PSA and documentary, seeks to address this question and rethink how we approach prevention.

Island nonprofit VARSA recently spearheaded a screening of “Screenagers” at the Vashon Theatre, prompting Vashon High School to reach out and ask if VARSA would bring the documentary to its student body. I spoke with VHS students to figure out if this screening succeeded with its targeted audience.

Many youth substance abuse prevention campaigns have failed or missed the mark, in large part due to the hostile fear-mongering approach that was so common in the early days of prevention. Campaigns like D.A.R.E are proven to be ineffective or even antithetical, sometimes worsening youth substance use through their intense marketing.

“Screenagers” seeks to approach the subject in a more empathetic, casual manner, by uplifting and centering the experiences of teens and young adults and therefore avoiding the age-old cycle of talking down rather than talking to youth.

The film addresses youth alienation in prevention, incorporating anecdotal evidence from teens and young adults. It also casts blame on smoking and vaping companies, rather than teens, by exploring how those companies market to minors through social media and trendy advertising.

It didn’t land for all students at VHS. One individual said the film mostly retreaded old ground and failed to spike interest among high schoolers.

“We all understand that it’s important to know the dangers of substance misuse, but we already know. It wasn’t very informative,” said a student who I talked with, who preferred to remain unnamed.

Another VHS student, Emma Shampain, said that much of the dialogue around the film was unserious, and she also expressed dissatisfaction with its presentation at the high school: “They pulled us all into the theater, sort of 1970s sex-ed style, and nobody was taking it seriously. It felt kind of forced.”

Shampain, however, praised the film’s youth focus.

“It wasn’t only ‘just say no’ — it had a more relatable, empathetic approach,” she said. “Specifically, the interview with that young woman who quit vaping with Tik Tok [Ellie Lerma] felt like a high point, as I’m sure a lot of teens have actually seen that content online and can really connect with it.”

Shampain expressed mixed feelings about some of the film’s points: “It described the dangers of substance misuse quite well, but many of the statistics made it hard for teens to sympathize with. …. It felt more meant for parents and teachers than teens.”

An anonymous student response to a post-show survey viewed this positively, stating: “I felt like this film informed kids and adults alike. It helped kids understand the links between substance use and social media, and helped parents get a grasp on how to approach the subject with their kids.”

The mixed student response could be, in part, related to the culture of high school. An average student may not want to take a chunk out of their day to watch an educational film, and may, therefore, approach the film with cynicism and not derive much information or inspiration from the film despite its attempts to reach teens.

Both of my interviewees expressed dissatisfaction with the presentation of the film, a point that was also present in some dismissive or humorous student survey responses. Under the question “what did the film get right, ” students’ answers included “Not sure not gonna lie” and “Drugs = bad.”

Many more answers, however, were insightful and thoughtful: “I think that we should be more informed on how to handle situations safely, because while schools enforce it, drugs and substance use are not just going to go away,” one student wrote.

Overall, “Screenagers” is a well-meant step in the right direction that unfortunately missed the mark for some, which could be attributed to the film’s presentation or a general disregard from some students.

For someone invested in the topic of prevention, it would be deeply informative and thought-provoking. But for some students, it could be another drop in the bucket of textbook substance education.

What should be the classroom approach to drug abuse prevention? As of now, much substance education is integrated into school curriculums, which may only be one side of the issue. Perhaps finding places to integrate those lessons into the social fabric and everyday lives of students would help make prevention more real, and improve their perceptions of its goals.

Mickey Fontaine is a Vashon youth and writer.