News coverage during this election cycle has placed significant emphasis on the Gen Z vote. Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, is not only the most diverse generation in American history but has also grown up through turbulent times such as school shootings, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political shifts. Many Gen Z members in their twenties are now actively involved in activism, from protesting book bans to working on medication abortion access. Ms. Studios' new podcast, The Z Factor, hosted by Harvard senior Anoushka Chander, delves into the issues affecting young people and how Gen Zers are fighting for a better future.

Uncovering Gen Z's Voice in the Political Arena

Abortion Advocacy in Texas

In Texas, even before the Dobbs decision in 2022, it had some of the strictest abortion laws. Currently, there is a total ban, leading to tragic consequences like the deaths of Josseli Barnica and Navaeh Crain. Even for those with the means to travel out of state, obtaining abortion care is nearly impossible due to the bounty law. Amanda Zurawski and Kate Cox, who spoke at the DNC about their experiences, highlight the severity of the situation. Texas Republicans are even considering a statewide "abortion trafficking" law, criminalizing those who help minors obtain abortions. This shows how far these laws have gone in criminalizing women and their bodies.

Olivia Julianna, a 21-year-old advocate, has raised over $700,000 for abortion funds through Gen Z for Change. She has faced challenges, such as Rep. Matt Gaetz's derogatory remarks. But her activism has made a significant impact.

Healthcare Concerns for Gen Z Women

Gen Z women are worried about more than just reproductive rights. Healthcare is a major concern as they fear losing access to healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. Once they turn 26, they lose their access to their parents' healthcare plan. This, along with rising costs and economic uncertainties, weighs on their minds as they enter independent adulthood.

Julianna emphasizes that reproductive rights and economic welfare are equally important. Young women should not be focused only on abortion but also on long-term policy issues that affect their lives.

Social Media Activism and Young People

Julianna didn't initially plan to be a Gen Z activist. She started posting videos on TikTok in 2020 and found herself involved in politics. She has spoken at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and given interviews supporting Kamala Harris.

However, being a young woman with a social media following comes with its challenges. She faces online hate but hopes for a better ecosystem for young women in politics. She believes social media can be a powerful tool for disseminating ideas and promoting accurate information.

Young Men and Far-Right Misinformation

After the election and Trump's win, there has been a focus on young men voters and social media misinformation. Julianna doesn't think misinformation tricks young voters but rather when it comes from seemingly credible sources.

She notes that young people are good at filtering out true and false information from news sources. Misinformation mostly occurs when someone makes unsubstantiated claims directly to the camera. It is a particular problem for young men who consume content from certain streamers.

Hopes for Gen Z's Political Future

Looking ahead, Julianna hopes to see legitimate institutional inclusion of young people. She wants a White House youth policy council that centers Gen Z voices and young people included in congressional hearings.

Growing up in a Mexican American family in Texas, she understands the importance of community. She hopes Gen Z will have a seat at the table and support each other in the political arena.

New episodes of The Z Factor: Gen Z's Voice and Vote podcast drop on Mondays.