Taylor Lorenz is an American journalist known for her deep reporting on internet culture, influencer ecosystems, and the social dynamics of online platforms. Her work has shaped public understanding of how digital communities evolve and how creators gain power. She has written for major U.S. publications and remains a prominent, sometimes polarizing, voice in tech and media.

Born in New York City in 1984 or 1985, Lorenz grew up in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, where she attended Greenwich High School. She began her university studies at the University of Colorado Boulder before transferring to Hobart and William Smith Colleges, graduating in 2007 with a degree in political science. She has often said that Tumblr played a key role in sparking her fascination with internet culture and the ways people express themselves online.

Lorenz’s career spans roles at the Daily Mail, Business Insider, The Daily Beast, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Her reporting focuses on online creators, digital subcultures, and the shifting power dynamics between platforms and users. She has been recognized by Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Adweek’s Young Influentials, and her 2023 book Extremely Online cemented her reputation as a leading chronicler of the social media era. After leaving The Washington Post in 2024, she launched the newsletter User Mag and the podcast Power User, continuing to shape conversations around digital culture.