Algorithms, politics, and Generation Z: Interview with Antoni Gutiérrez-Rubí

Abstract

In this interview, Antoni Gutiérrez-Rubí reflects on the relationship between youth, digital platforms, and politics in a public sphere increasingly shaped by algorithmic power. Challenging narratives that portray Generation Z as apathetic or detached from politics, he argues that this is in fact a highly politicized generation that expresses its political engagement through practices, languages, and codes different from traditional forms. Today’s youth are the first to be politically socialized in fully algorithmic environments such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. These platforms do not simply distribute content; they organize attention and shape the visibility of public discourse. Within this environment, practices such as humor, memes, and ephemeral languages can be understood as forms of political expression adapted to the communicative logics of platforms. The conversation also questions policy approaches focused on restricting minors’ access to social media and highlights the need to address the design and structural power of digital platforms.