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The Newsfeed

Gen Z, Alpha, and Millennial news marketers need to know. Updated every weekday.

Curated, Edited, and Written by the Human Youth Experts at YPulse

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Instagram is ready to be on TV.

Aug 25 2026

Instagram is ready to be on TV. YPulse recently called social media co-viewing a trend to watch, and our data shows 57% of 13-39-year-olds watch social media videos in-person together with friends / family members on a TV screen. Now, Instagram is leaning into the trend with its “Watch While” campaign, focusing on how feeds can be watched through the TV app while spending time with loved ones. The spots feature four creators who put Instagram on TV while doing anything from cleaning to painting their nails. Not only were the spots filmed in their real apartments, creators were also encouraged to say anything that they wanted while scrolling, giving the campaign an aura of authenticity. (AdAge)

👀 Read more from YPulse: 10 Trends to Know report: Co-viewing Social Content

Olivia Rodrigo released a new single at a literal “Analog Record Shop.”

Aug 25 2026

Olivia Rodrigo released a new single at a literal “Analog Record Shop.” Yes, that’s the real name of the indie record store in California that stocked the only 500 copies of the CD single released on Friday. It literally doesn’t get more analog than this! The single was released to streaming on Monday, but for those three days, it was just for the lucky CD buyers. (Some of whom, of course, are now the lucky resellers listing it for $300+ on eBay.) The single itself, “serena joy,” is inspired by The Handmaid’s Tale character of the same name and is a prime Gen Z feminist anthem about supporting other women. It also comes ahead of Rodrigo’s all-women festival Daisy Chain Fields this weekend, which is a non-profit event where all proceeds go to “charities dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls.” (Rolling Stone)

👀 Read more from YPulse: 6 Ways Gen Z Wants Brands to Go Analog

Gen Z’s sitcoms all have something in common: stressful work lives.

Aug 25 2026

Gen Z’s sitcoms all have something in common: stressful work lives. While TV comedies about twentysomethings juggling their new careers and personal lives are nothing new—hello intergenerational Friends fans—Rachel Green never had to worry about her social media history impacting her job prospects. Gen Z’s unique work stresses are creating a new lineup of shows and storylines. Series like Adults, I Love LA, and Not Suitable for Work are showing the generation’s work realities: side hustles, evil AI companies, remote work, virtual interviews, and an unforgiving job market. As one expert in youth media representation puts it, “Their real lives are pretty darn scary”—and shows that help them laugh about it might be just what resonates. (WSJ)

👀 Read more from YPulse: Is Gen Z Really Job Hugging, Rage Applying, and Career Catfishing?

Teens’ activism is taking on data centers.

Aug 24 2026

Teens’ activism is taking on data centers. Despite the fact that the majority of teens use generative AI in some way, many are pushing back against its expansion, especially the physical footprint of data centers. Across the U.S., teens are attending city council meetings, raising development plan questions, and protesting centers being built near their homes over concerns about water use, noise, and energy drain. Like Gen Z’s passion for climate and gun violence, their AI activism is being driven by how data centers impact them directly. Plus, they worry it will happen without regulation and community consulting—the way social media did. AI companies, of course, insist the issues teens are worried about are ones they’re considering and working to offset, whether it’s the cost of energy or noise near schools. However, positive sentiment toward AI is dropping among young people according to some studies, and this may be a leading reason as more become aware of the long-term effects of data centers popping up near them. (NYT)

👀 Read more from YPulse: Gen Z Names the Biggest Problem They Face

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