Move Over, Instagram Gen Z Has Trust Issues

But their trust in influencers? Stronger than ever

20-Somethings Are Weary of Meta: Is Pixelfed the Answer?

In the chaos of last week, one thing became clear: young people think Meta is "alright," but it's not really fun anymore. Pixelfed, on the other hand, offers a refreshing alternative—an app where your content isn’t buried by an algorithm, there are no ads, and you don’t have to hire a professional photographer to get noticed. The chronically online are also crossing their fingers that posting there will be less cringe-worthy.

When polling our Youthtellers, nearly half (46.2%) had heard of Pixelfed, and 34.6% were seriously considering making the switch—despite growing up with Instagram. This shift in interest speaks volumes. Digital natives, who have watched Instagram refuse to adapt to their evolving needs, are increasingly frustrated with a platform that ignores their feedback and values.

As Meta leans into controversial decisions—like dismantling DEI initiatives and cutting back on fact-checking, both of which are crucial to young people—switching to a platform that truly aligns with their ideals is no longer a long shot, but an inevitability.

After TikTok's Brief Disruption, Young Creators Are Ready to Create More Than Ever

Ballerina, firefighter, movie star—once the go-to childhood dream jobs. Now? Ask anyone under 25, and the answer is almost always: a creator.

After TikTok’s fake farewell tour, where it briefly played dead, young creators came back more determined than ever to hit post. Push notifications name-dropping President Trump, whispers about censorship of search terms, and some off-kilter vibes? Sure, Gen Z clocked all of it—but they’re still here, doubling down on creativity like their FYP depends on it.

Those 12 hours from Saturday to Sunday felt like an eternity. As they frantically toggled between Instagram and X searching in vain for that familiar dopamine rush, one thing became crystal clear: nothing else hits quite the same. The platform's temporary disappearance turned regular scrolling sessions into a harsh lesson in taking the social in social media for granted.

Creators who had been hoarding content in their drafts or holding back ideas suddenly realized the fragility of their digital stage. "Never again." And if TikTok ever does take a more permanent nap, young people don't want to miss out on saying that they at least lived their creator dreams to the fullest while they could.

Sniffing Out Lush’s Best Scents: The Fragrances Teens Are Obsessed With

Every few months, the same debate pops up: Are influencers losing their grip on young consumers? Do teens trust creators with millions of followers, or is the niche underdog winning hearts? Is YouTube’s long-form intimacy still king, or have TikTok and Instagram taken the crown?

Spoiler alert: influencers still run the game. Sure, the dynamics shift, but the power creators wield over allowances across America is stronger than ever and as platforms get messier, their opinions matter even more. Enter Leah from Love Island.

In a video that racked up 12 million views, Leah casually revealed her shower routine, and just like that, Lush fragrances had another viral moment. Two products in particular—Sticky Dates and Let the Good Times Roll—flew off the shelves. Because who doesn't want to smell like heaven on a budget?

Leah’s Lush moment proves it: whether it’s a high-profile celeb or an artsy micro-influencer, creators still have the power to shape what Gen Z buys and this scent craze is the perfect example.

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