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When Condé Nast announced Monday that it was essentially shutting down Teen Vogue, folding the online magazine into parent title Vogue and sending editor Versha Sharma packing, it marked more than just the swan song for yet another teen-focused publication. It also heralded the end of a particularly impressive run of online journalism that defined the post-Trump I era, when Teen Vogue became one of a handful of outlets publishing smart, relevant stories to help its young readers (and many of their parents) navigate a new period where terms like “alternative facts” and “fake news” were thrown around by the administration. Teen Vogue morphed into a cultural touchstone following the 2016 election for its unflinching investigation into issues mainstream media outlets were reluctant to touch, such as clear-eyed reporting on abortion and allegations of Donald Trump’s gaslighting. It continued to maintain that political bent through the next decade. It wasn’t always envisioned that way. When Vogue editor Anna Wintour introduced the new magazine in 2003, it showcased fashion, beauty and style, areas Condé Nast claimed had been ignored by other teen publications obsessed with sex, relationships and celebrities. But Teen Vogue distinguished itself by trusting the intellects and sophistication of its readers. With time, it evolved into a platform for some of the most imaginative and productive journalism aimed at a younger audience—while also publishing headlines that drew in older readers. It was the rare crossover cross-generational publication that parents and kids found equally interesting. MORE FOR YOU Still, even a pioneer faces real fiscal issues. Teen Vogue went online-only by 2017, reflecting a huge decline in circulation and ad pages encountered by most print titles. The last few years, its continued existence seemed in question, especially once Wintour ascended fully to Condé Nast’s upper ranks and named Chloe Malle as the head of editorial content for Vogue. Condé Nast Plans For Teen Vogue: No Mention Of Politics It was perhaps not unexpected that Teen Vogue is closing in the current political climate. Times are extremely tough for all legacy media companies, including even glam magazine publisher Condé Nast, known for posh brands like Vogue and The New Yorker. But lawsuits by Trump have also threatened to chill press freedoms, with companies such as ABC and CBS paying out millions to seemingly avoid political fallout. Navigating the journalistic terrain has become increasingly difficult. Indeed, it’s no coincidence that Condé Nast’s announcement of Teen Vogue’s shutdown didn’t mention its political reporting at all—instead promising that it would remain “a distinct editorial property, with its own identity and mission” focused on leadership and career development, neither topics that generated big clicks for Teen Vogue in its prime. Many of its most popular pieces over the past decade were political. Lauren Duca's 2016 essay "Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America” accused the then- and now-president of “normalizing deception,” and it became a touchpoint for activists seeking to push back against the administration. The essay prompted NPR to report an article on Teen Vogue exploring its change of editorial direction, and other publications followed—though fans of journalism targeting young people know that magazines have always served up smart pieces alongside prom dress advice; Sassy and Seventeen were similarly bold at times, though the latter rarely recognized. With many of Teen Vogue’s most influential writers now scattered to platforms like Substack and TikTok, it’s hard to imagine the truly impactful journalism will carry forward. But the magazine leaves an impressive legacy.
