Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation is to explore Generation Z (Gen Z)’s intention and behavior to advocate for immigration issues on TikTok, as well as to examine whether Gen Z’s TikTok activism behaviors (online activism behaviors) will translate into their offline, in-person activism behaviors. To achieve this goal, this dissertation adopts the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985, 1991, 2002, 2020) by incorporating additional variables (i.e., social conservatism, xenophobia, perception of liberal bias in the news, activist identification, TikTok use integration) identified from relevant digital activism literature. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2023 (N = 714). The findings of this research provide important theoretical implications about the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior, practical implications about slacktivism, and discussions on the effect of gender differences on TikTok activism.