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How Teens Use Social Media to Fight for Racial and Ethnic Justice

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I chose this subject because I've witnessedmy friends and classmates, speaking out against racial injustice on social media. Following George Floyd's passing in 2020, my feed was flooded with powerful stories, protest videos, and fundraising efforts. That opened my eyes to the fact that activism occurs online as much as on the streets. I was interested in seeing how our generation is utilizing these platforms to effect genuine change.

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Racism and inequality still exist. Gen Z uses apps like Instagram and TikTok to raise awareness and organize protests.

After George Floyd’s murder, #BlackLivesMatter was shared over 60 million times on Instagram (Pew, 2021). Teens are at the center of this movement, creating content that spreads fast and inspires action.

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Black teens are frequently in the center of this action because they are directly impacted by structural oppression. They draw attention to the ways that class, gender, and race influence their lived experiences by utilizing intersectionality. Teens who identify as Indigenous or Latinx also speak up, particularly on topics related to postcolonialism and microaggressions in communities and schools. White teenagers are often allies, sharing, giving, and participating in the community. All teenagers, including those who might be tokenized or ignored in more conventional settings, now have a voice thanks to social media. Despite its drawbacks, such as surveillance that targets more Black creators, this digital space continues to be a vital center for diasporic connection and resistance.

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In response to racial injustice and structural oppression, the BLM movement was born after Trayvon Martin's killing in 2013. It escalated with the Ferguson demonstrations in 2014, and after George Floyd's passing in 2020, it erupted all over the world. Through digital resistance, Gen Z continues the campaign today, substituting hashtags for posters and videos for lectures. Youth activism continues the history of earlier movements while adapting to contemporary platforms, as seen by this new kind of civic involvement.

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Marley Dias (13) launched #1000BlackGirlBooks to challenge school reading lists.

These teens show that you’re never too young to lead change.

Darnella Frazier (17) filmed George Floyd’s murder, which helped spark global protests.

Isra Hirsi co-founded the U.S. Youth Climate Strike, linking racial justice and climate.

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Social media activism, frequently referred to as "slacktivism," is criticized for being lazy and ineffective. They contend that merely sharing a story online is not considered significant civic participation. Others, however, draw attention to the ways that Gen Z uses platforms to plan demonstrations, generate money, and advocate against policies. Numerous Black creators have also brought attention to surveillance concerns, claiming that TikTok's algorithm censors or hides their BLM content. These issues highlight how even digital platforms can perpetuate racial inequality while also providing teenagers with means to combat it, and they mirror broader trends of systemic oppression.

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While Section 230 protects apps like Instagram and TikTok from lawsuits over user content, it also grants platforms extensive control over content moderation. Concerns around monitoring and structural oppression have been brought up by this, particularly when Black teenagers claim that their BLM posts have been removed. Due to their online activism, some students have even experienced suspensions from school or microaggressions. Many young people, particularly young people of color, believe they are being unfairly silenced in places that seem to encourage civic engagement because of ambiguous restrictions.

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Teens raise money for mutual aid, such as bail money, funeral expenses, and community support, through post drives, biolinks, and stories. This type of resistance demonstrates that activism involves both direct action and speaking out. Real civic engagement is made possible by social media, where Gen Z organizes change and assumes leadership roles. Facebook and Instagram have helped generate more than $8 billion since 2017, demonstrating the potency of online activism.

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This graph shows the growth in fundraising through Facebook and Instagram, rising from $0.3 billion in 2017 to $8 billion in 2023. It highlights how social media activism translates into real world financial support for causes like Black Lives Matter.

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Civic involvement and resistance in the real world have been inspired by social media activism. A 500-person demonstration in Kentucky was organized by teenagers using TikTok, demonstrating how young people can take charge and have an impact outside of screens. Students in California used Instagram as a tool to demand curriculum reforms. These behaviors demonstrate how Gen Z uses digital resources for long term change as well as awareness raising. Online activism can have significant offline repercussions, particularly when it opposes structural oppression and elevates marginalized voices.

Social media activism has led to real change. Teens in Kentucky organized a 500-person protest using TikTok. California students used Instagram to change their school’s curriculum. Online action has offline results.

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Intersectionality – Teens talk about how race, gender, and class overlap

Critical Race Theory – Posts show how racism exists in laws, schools, and the justice system.

Systemic Oppression – Teens share stories that reveal deep-rooted injustice.

Representation vs. Tokenism – Teens call for real diversity in books, media, and policy.

Resistance – Posting, protesting, and fundraising = modern resistance.

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Diaspora – Teens connect with other Black youth across the globe through shared stories.

Postcolonialism – Teens critique policing and prisons as leftovers of colonial control.

Civic Engagement – Gen Z uses social media to register voters and promote action.

Surveillance – Some content is taken down, especially by Black creators.

Microaggressions – Teens share videos calling out everyday racism in schools or public spaces.

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This topic ties into everything we’ve learned: race and identity, youth resistance, intersectionality, diaspora, civic power, and contemporary movements. BLM and Gen Z activism show how today’s teens are continuing the legacy of civil rights activism with new tools.

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I learned from this project how important social media advocacy is. I've begun to consider who I follow and what I post more carefully. Teens may speak out against systematic oppression, raise awareness, and raise money, which gives them more civic power than we typically realize. I want to avoid being performative and use my voice more deliberately. I aspire to participate in significant resistance that promotes substantive transformation for all communities, particularly those affected by intersectionality.

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Follow youth organizers, not just celebrities

Share verified posts—not just trendy ones

Donate or volunteer when you can

Speak up when you see racism

Be more than a repost—be part of the change.

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This short video shows how teens use TikTok to educate, protest, and organize around racial justice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo7G84rpHr0

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How Social Media Is Impacting Youth Activism (In The Loop)

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thank you! Hope you enjoyed!