Long uncertain, young people's access to abortion is more complicated than ever

Abortion-rights advocates are using social media to reach young people who have more questions than ever about how to get an abortion.

Leah Willingham / Leah Willingham

For decades, young people have faced major barriers to abortion because of state laws requiring parental involvement in the decision to terminate a pregnancy. But now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — and the federal right to an abortion is gone — access is even more complex for adolescents.

In states where abortion is heavily restricted, advocates are fighting back: They’re shoring up legal support for young women seeking abortion and taking to social media platforms like TikTok to counter misinformation.

As abortion access vanishes, options narrow