The Influence of Social Media on Generation Z as Represented in Searching

Abstract

In this thesis I analyse the American mystery thriller Searching (dir. Aneesh Chaganty, 2018), with the purpose of linking its key features and underlying themes to the social media presence of Gen Zers today. I examine the interpersonal attributes and online behavioural tendencies of Generation Z, and explore this generation’s interrelatedness with social media. Furthermore, I go into detail regarding the ways this generation and social media are depicted in Searching, calling attention to the film’s relevance. In this thesis, my main aim is to find out what it is that sets apart the generation that grew up on the Internet from its predecessors.