How Gen Z is Rebuilding Social Media from the Ground Up

This 59-minute keynote from SXSW features Emma Lembke exploring how Generation Z is revolutionizing social media through a fundamentally different approach than previous generations. Discover how young people who have grown up fully immersed in digital environments are rejecting profit-driven engagement models and instead creating alternatives that prioritize mental health, authentic connection, and user empowerment. Learn about the grassroots activism, policy advocacy, and innovative platform designs that characterize this movement, as Lembke explains how Gen Z isn't waiting for corporate solutions but is actively organizing, educating, and building new digital spaces that value well-being over engagement metrics. The session is part of SXSW's commitment to highlighting creative innovation across interactive, film, and music industries.