Lauren Barton

a trans journalist just trying to live | she/them | tennessee, usa | https://laurenbarton.carrd.co

[laurengbarton]

Where to find your news after (or if) TikTok is banned

I’m a freelance journalist based in East Tennessee. After three years of working in this industry, here are my favorite ways to find news that don’t involve billionaire-owned media companies or Meta-owned apps.

1. Search for independent journalists. Lots of us have started our own platforms through YouTube and newsletters. Look for Substacks, WordPress sites, YouTube channels, and newsletters on beehiiv. Two of my personal favorites are Erin Reed’s “Erin In The Morning” and Taylor Lorenz’s “User Mag.”

2. Look for start-ups and reader-supported orgs. DAME, Scalawag, 404 Media, Flytrap Media, The Tennessee Lookout (as an example of a local publication), etc. are great starting points!

3. Don’t underestimate satire publications, memes, or Internet culture reporters. Publications like @theonion can be a great way to improve your media literacy and understanding of the news as a whole in a unique (and humorous) way. Memes can be helpful in that same way. Internet culture reporters often pick up on trends that can indicate political/cultural shifts.

What are some of your favorite news orgs?

[laurengbarton]

[puphound]

[withwordsasweapons]

how it feels to be in your 20s with the same interests you had when you were 10

[laurengbarton]

Super awesome and niche announcement but i won first place for non-fiction for the 2025 Mildred Haun Student Writing Contest :)

[laurengbarton]

Bury me in the Miku coffin or don’t bury me at all

[laurengbarton]

Yellow >>>>

[laurengbarton]

I printed enough of these photos to pin all over my school’s campus, and I’m handwriting more messages on the back as we speak. My school is just a rural community college, but trans/queer students deserve to feel supported regardless of where they are. Since my school isn’t doing anything about it, I am.

[laurengbarton]

Also, I’m on Bluesky! Follow me there!!

[memehex]

Now more than ever we need to make Tumblr unmarketable, do NOT invite the government into this space.

[laurengbarton]

The KKK is alive and well in my neck of the woods. They probably are in yours, too.

[laurengbarton]

Also, I’m on Bluesky! Follow me there!!

[daliborsdelight]

this should not have gagged me as hard as it did

[laurengbarton]

Did you know that Internet restriction bills (like KOSA) could have some MAJOR unintended consequences for homeschooled students and their education? Read my latest for Teen Vogue! https://www.teenvogue.com/story/kids-online-safety-act-homeschooled-kids

Internet “Child Safety” Laws Could Leave Homeschooled Kids in the Dark

“For many children, the internet is a source of safety.”

[laurengbarton]

On TikTok, I made a video about how it was useless “5-second rebellion” to code “EAT THE RICH” in a winter boots comment. I stand FIRM on that, despite the people in my comments telling me that I don’t know what I’m talking about.

It’s performative activism at worst and ignorance at best — and it is especially ignorant to claim that that’s all one can do. Minors, disabled people, or literally ANYONE else can do more than just leave a comment or two during their nightly doomscroll. For instance, you can read more!

Reading is political. You can read more books and news to stay informed. If physically reading isn’t your thing, you can listen to audiobooks and podcasts. You can initiate conversations with your friends, family, classmates, and overall community. Nobody is so helpless that commenting under someone else’s video is all they can do.

[laurengbarton]

I’m not putting anyone down for commenting. It’s not my intention to make you feel bad. It is my intention for you to learn that you can do more (and do something with a bigger impact) — don’t feel like that is the only thing you can do.

[laurengbarton]

On TikTok, I made a video about how it was useless “5-second rebellion” to code “EAT THE RICH” in a winter boots comment. I stand FIRM on that, despite the people in my comments telling me that I don’t know what I’m talking about.

It’s performative activism at worst and ignorance at best — and it is especially ignorant to claim that that’s all one can do. Minors, disabled people, or literally ANYONE else can do more than just leave a comment or two during their nightly doomscroll. For instance, you can read more!

Reading is political. You can read more books and news to stay informed. If physically reading isn’t your thing, you can listen to audiobooks and podcasts. You can initiate conversations with your friends, family, classmates, and overall community. Nobody is so helpless that commenting under someone else’s video is all they can do.

[rydengg]

nobody is immune but some of you are… concerning susceptible… 😟