In an era where digital culture is shaping the way the population interacts with and consumes information, as well as expressing themselves, Taylor Lorenz has been at the forefront of documenting these shifts. As a journalist specializing in internet culture, she has written for many major news publications like The New York Times, and The Washington Post, covering everything from social media trends to the rise of the creator economy. Taylor’s sharp eye for analyzing the digital landscape has helped her become one of the most influential voices in the field. Lorenz often highlights the intersection of technology, media and Gen Z culture.
I recently spoke with Lorenz to delve into the pressing topics of the moment such as the growing hostility of online spaces, the dominance of visual and AI-driven content, the challenges facing independent creators, and the failure of traditional media to adapt. As the digital world continues to evolve at unprecedented speed, Lorenz’s insights offer a compelling look at what’s next for journalism, social media, and online communities.
The internet’s growing hostility and changing social interactions
One of the first things Lorenz noted in our discussion was the increasingly hostile nature of online spaces today. While the internet has long been a place for connection as well as conflict, she believes the level of cruelty and aggression has intensified in recent years.
“There are a lot more platforms now than just a few years ago, and the internet has definitely become more hostile,” she explained. “Part of that is because of the removal of protections against harassment and abuse on platforms like Twitter, and part of it is just that COVID broke people’s brains.”
The pandemic forced millions of people into isolated, screen-dominated lives, leading to a surge in online discourse, misinformation, and digital aggression. With many social media platforms scaling back their moderation efforts, abusive behavior has increased, making digital spaces more polarized and difficult to navigate.
For Gen Z, who have grown up with the internet intertwined in their lives, the shift is particularly significant. The rise in hostility online affects mental health, political discourse, and the way Gen Z engages with digital communities. Unlike older generations who often view the internet as a separate entity from “real life,” Lorenz argues that for Gen Z, there is no distinction between the online and offline worlds.
“For younger people, there isn’t this really distinct line between online and offline,” she said. “The online world is increasingly merged with the physical world, and Gen Z recognizes that inherently.”
This fundamental shift in perception is reshaping modern communication styles, news consumption, and identity formation. Digital spaces are no longer just tools for engagement and content creation, they are now primary spaces where relationships, political discourse, activism, and self expression occur.
The creator economy: a booming industry with challenges
As one of the first journalists to extensively cover the rise of the creator economy, Lorenz remains convinced that we are still in a period of massive growth.
“Things are not getting less digital or less distributed,” she said. “The creator economy isn’t even remotely close to a plateau.”
The shift toward independent content creation has been fueled by platforms like Patreon, Substack, and OnlyFans, which allow creators to monetize their audiences directly. As journalists like Lorenz herself move toward independent platforms, legacy media outlets struggle to keep up.
The decline of traditional media and the rise of independent journalism
One of Lorenz’s critiques of legacy media outlets is that they are failing to adapt to digital transformation.
“Major media publications are not adapting at all to these changes,” she said bluntly. “That’s part of why they’re dying.”
As Gen Z moves away from traditional media in favor of TikTok, YouTube, and independent content creators, mainstream journalism faces a credibility and relevance crisis.
Lorenz believes this shift has both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, more people now have access to journalism, independent creators aren’t beholden to corporate interests, and audiences are more diverse than ever. Yet many creators lack formal journalism training, raising concerns about ethics, accuracy, and misinformation.
This decentralization of journalism creates space for a new media landscape, one with more voices, but also more risks.
The future of digital culture
Lorenz also expressed deep concerns about the state of free speech and platform power.
“We’re witnessing some of the biggest attacks on free speech in my lifetime,” she said. “Platforms claim to support free expression, but they still censor progressive views while allowing right-wing extremism.”
She cited how certain phrases, such as ‘Free Palestine,’ are still banned on social media platforms, while harmful rhetoric is often left unchecked.
What’s next for journalism and digital media
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, journalism, media consumption, and online discourse are undergoing unprecedented transformations. Taylor Lorenz’s insights paint a picture of an industry at a crossroads, one where legacy institutions struggle to keep up, independent creators rise to prominence, and AI-driven content reshapes how we interact with information.
For young journalists and media professionals entering this field, the challenges are undeniable. The breakdown of traditional news models, the rise of misinformation, and the hostility of online spaces make it a difficult time to navigate. Yet, Lorenz remains convinced that adaptability is key.
“It’s a weird, bad time,” she admitted, acknowledging the uncertainty ahead.
Her advice to those pursuing a career in media? Embrace digital-first storytelling, build independent platforms, and remain vigilant about journalistic ethics in a rapidly changing world. As audiences shift toward more personalized and decentralized content consumption, journalists will need to meet them where they are, whether on Substack, YouTube, TikTok, or emerging platforms.
For those interested in following Lorenz’s work, she regularly shares her analysis through her newsletter, Usermag, her YouTube channel, and her podcast, Power User. In an age where the future of media feels uncertain, her work serves as a critical lens on where digital culture is headed and how we can navigate it.