The Second-Screen Phenomenon

If you’ve ever powered on your TV to watch a Netflix show, then opened TikTok or Geometry Dash, you may be surprised to learn that you’re not alone. This practice, dubbed, “second-screening,” describes watching a movie or show while simultaneously engaging with a secondary device, often a smartphone. It’s become increasingly common in the last decade, and accordingly, production companies are accounting for it in their media. 

According to “The Week,” screenwriters who've worked for Netflix told the outlet that company executives recommend having characters announce what they're doing so that viewers who have the program on in the background can follow along. They emphasize that if viewers are primarily engaging with their smartphones, they “shouldn’t be challenged” by a Netflix show, because it could lead to them switching the TV off. This feedback reflects in the quality and pacing of shows during production; shows often include significantly more exposition and have characters narrate their actions. A common criticism of recently released shows, like “Stranger Things” season five, is the writers’ habit of having each character verbally over-explain “the plan” before every major event. 

“When I watched the new season of ‘Stranger Things,’ it felt like they were re-explaining everything that was going on every ten minutes. The pacing felt completely different than earlier seasons,” said senior Triston Lin.

With the goal of helping distracted viewers follow along with the story, this practice makes for overly expository dialogue and repeating plot points. 

This is not an isolated incident; Bellevue High School students have spotted a shift across many of their favorite recently released shows and movies.

“I’ve been trying to use my phone less recently, so I’ve been looking for shows as an alternative,” said senior Ayla Ali. “But it's hard to find anything interesting nowadays, and I don't feel as fulfilled when I watch them anymore.” 

It’s not just Ali who feels this way. The Guardian describes critics who argue that shows made to cater to smartphone use stifles creativity, putting “background noise” in place of compelling storytelling.

Ultimately, the solution may fall somewhere in between. A common practice like “second-screening” is impossible to eradicate, but as long as there is balance between media for casual watching and media for engaging plotlines, production companies shouldn’t have to give one up for the other.