Meet the content creators explaining politics to Gen Z
Content creators explaining politics to Gen Z
Social media influencers on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram want their followers to vote IRL.
As TikTok sets trends, spreads memes and creates in-jokes, its content creators are reshaping how an entire generation consumes information. These creators hold remarkable sway over the political landscape, with 44% of users aged 18 to 29 relying on TikTok for news, according to Pew Research. Whether they were well-known prior to TikTok or went viral after one explainer video, these creators are shaping their peers’ opinions about politics and government.
Amelie Zilber, TikTok Influencer
Though her social media career began as a teen model and influencer, Amelie Zilber started to take advantage of her large following as an effort to educate her younger audience about politics in 2018. With her relatable approach to everyday lifestyle as a young influencer, Zilber quickly gained recognition as a voice for informed activism among Gen Z. Zilber’s unique tactic is to clickbait her 6.8 million followers. She often starts her videos by talking about trending social media topics such as celebrity breakups or a new modeling photoshoot that she did, and then she quickly transitions to talking about pressing political issues. This creative strategy led Zilber to becoming one of the most well known influencers on the app who covers both politics and current fads. In October 2023, Zilber met with Vice President Kamala Harris in a moderated conversation regarding the new generation’s impact on political change.
@ameliezilber SC rulings: here’s why they matter
Logan Dubil, conservative content creator
Logan Dubil was posting comedic and casual videos about his everyday life, such as his love for artist Billie Eilish, until one random video about his conservative political stance led to his fame overnight. In October 2021, Dubil posted about his experience being one of the only vocal conservatives at Point Park University in Pennsylvania. Dubil appeared on Fox News in 2022, propelling his Tik Tok career to even greater heights and solidifying his influence with other young conservatives. In addition to his daily Tik Tok posts, Dubil advocates for Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election and encourages his 51,000-plus followers to seek out multiple media perspectives.
@thelogandubil #stitch with @Chris Mowrey Thoughts? Also, Chris is a good guy. I just disagree with him.
Elise Joshi, Gen Z for Change
Elise Joshi is the 21-year-old executive director of Gen-Z for Change, a collective of progressive content creators. Joshi, who is also a student at UC Berkeley, went viral in July 2023 when she criticized the Biden administration’s climate policies in a video that garnered more than a million likes. Her videos these days focus on climate and the war in Gaza. She encourages and educates her peers on government accountability and transparency, giving them actionable steps to follow in their own communities.
@elisejoshi I just mustered up every ounce of courage to interrupt White House Press Secretary and urge the Biden Administration to stop approving new coal, oil, and gas projects. The climate crisis is here now. Biden must listen to Gen-Z, scientists, and frontline communities. #genz #whitehouse #biden #bravery
Ben Sheehan, Millennial creator
Ben Sheehan is a Millennial best known for explaining politics and government in a simplified manner to Gen Z. Sheehan got his start with the viral video site Funny or Die. Now on Instagram and Tik Tok, Sheehan caters to an audience that doesn’t follow the news or know how government works. His 2020 book, OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy is Supposed to Work, pairs well with TikTok explainers such as “Could One Vote Decide the Election?” and “Do Presidents Have Immunity?”
@thatbensheehan How America could become a dictatorship… #america #constitution #amendment #congress #president #government #history #civics #senate #house #law #usa #american #convention #politics #power #states #austria #germany #ushistory #worldhistory
is a contributor for The NewsHouse.