Whitmer gave a keynote speech where she addressed the impact of Big Tech on Gen Z specifically, ending her speech by saying, "No pressure, I’m counting on you to save the world."

Gov. Whitmer was joined by DIFU Co-Founder Zamaan Qureshi and actress and activist Lexi Underwood for a panel discussion hosted by Windsor Western, the Co-Founder of Her Campus Media.

The discussion defined the relationship between Gen Z and Big Tech. Western began the panel with an interactive poll, asking attendees to raise a red flag in response to toxic experiences with technology and social media.

Whitmer admitted the visual of the red flags was powerful, not expecting so many to raise their flag when asked if they had received death threats online.

Qureshi, a recent graduate of American University who testified as the state’s final witness in the trial of New Mexico v. Meta, said that Design It for Us exists to activate young people, encouraging them to get involved and speak about their lived experiences.

"We know what it’s like to grow up in unregulated social media. So, our experience should be front and center when we’re designing policy around it," said Qureshi.

The panel with Gov. Whitmer, Qureshi and Underwood then focused on how to define the relationship between Big Tech and consumers and find a potential actionable path forward following the verdict of New Mexico v. Meta. 

Gov. Whitmer and the panel agreed that federal action and legislation need to be put in place, with Whitmer adding that, "We have taken action on the State level, but we can do a hell of a lot more."

In the following panel, Isabel Sunderland, a leader of federal policy for DIFU, hosted LGBTQ+ advocate Lennon Torres and Michigan State Director for Young People’s Alliance James Jandro as they hoped to add stories to the statistics.

As they discussed the personal impact Big Tech has had on their lives, Torress shared that the dragonfly pin she wore on her shirt was her way of carrying those who have lost their lives due to sextortion with her to these events.

The final panel was hosted by Shelby Knox, the online safety campaign director at ParentsTogether, and explored how to set boundaries with technology. She welcomed mental health advocate and content creator Morgan Cooper and Student Lead for DIFU Mariella Ma, a rising senior at the University of Michigan.

"I think influencers really help shape the norms on social media," Cooper said. "We may not have the algorithm working in our favor, but I feel like we do kind of set that norm of pushing against negative trends and negative things on social media."

During the panel discussion, Ma brought up the Kids before Click, a Michigan legislative effort currently on the Senate floor that is aimed at protecting minors from addictive algorithms.

Western reflected on how she started Her Campus Media out of her dorm room and spoke about how hosting this event feels like a full-circle moment.

"I’m so grateful, I’m proud, and kind of humbled that we’ve been able to be part of such a big movement," said Western.