Written by: Eunie Choi
Artwork by: Aileen Chen
Teens today, also referred to as Gen-Z, have grown up with the internet. According to a study conducted in 2017 by the International Business Machines Corporation and the National Retail Federation, 95% of teens report having a smartphone, or at least access to one, spending 74% of their free time online (“Uniquely Gen Z”). And, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 84% of teen cellphone users report using their phones to connect with other people (Schaeffer). This community-oriented aspect of the internet, particularly concerning social media, has brought up many concerns about the negative effects of social media and the internet on teens.
One group of teens especially highlighted are LGBTQ+ teens, who are marginalized in real life and, supposedly, online as well. Numerous studies have been conducted on the potential negative effects of social media on LGBTQ+ teens. According to Dr. Cesar Escobar-Viera, researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, and his associates, “cyberbullying and other patterns of use may be associated with depression” for LGBT teens (Escobar-Viera, et al. 1), demonstrating the potential negative effects of social media on sexual minority teens’ mental health.
However, there are two sides to every coin, and social media can prove beneficial as well. In the same study conducted by Dr. Cesar Escobar-Viera, it was found that “support gained via social media may buffer the impact of geographic isolation and loneliness (Escobar-Viera, et al. 1). Feeling seen and knowing that there were others like them truly ameliorated the feeling of being alone. Particularly when in-person communities or support are lacking, simply being cognizant of the fact that they have the support of people online could aid in their confidence, mental health, and feelings of self-worth. In fact, according to a study conducted by professor Leanna Lucero of New Mexico State University, social media has become “a safe space for minority LGBTQ youth to explore issues of sexuality and gender” (Lucero 117).
This synergy between LGBTQ youth and online queer communities demonstrates that despite the dangers of social media and the potential negative bullying experiences that it can cause teens to go through, it can also provide a valuable space for marginalized teens to experience acceptance, growth, and a sense of belonging and community. The world has become more internet-based than ever, with online communities—not just queer communities but others as well—growing at a rapid pace, and it is time to recognize the potential benefits this can bring, instead of maintaining myopic views and continuously emphasizing the negatives and downplaying the positives. Community and belonging are particularly important to LGBTQ youth who may experience hate, bigotry, and discrimination in their real lives, and finding a company online can be life-saving in terms of mental health, feelings of safety, and, most of all, feeling that they are not alone.
So if you’re feeling lost and alone, it might not hurt to try to find a group of your own online. You don’t even have to be LGBTQ—whichever community you are a part of will likely also exist on the internet, and you can find a sense of belonging there that you might not be able to find in person. Of course, the dangers of cyberbullying exist; however, if you’re willing to try for that tradeoff, if you’re willing to take that small step forward—you might just find the community you’ve been looking for all your life.
Works Cited
Escobar-Viera, César G, et al. “For Better or for Worse? A Systematic Review of the Evidence on Social Media Use and Depression Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Minorities.” Journal of Medical Internet Research Mental Health, vol. 5, no. 3, Jul. 2018, pp. 1-15, National Library of Medicine, doi.org/10.2196/10496.
Lucero, Leanna. “Safe Spaces in Online Places: Social Media and LGBTQ Youth.” Multicultural Education Review, vol. 9, no. 2, Apr. 2017, pp. 117-28, ResearchGate, doi.org/10.1080/2005615X.2017.1313482.
Schaeffer, Katherine. “Most U.S. teens who use cellphones do it to pass time, connect with others, learn new things.” Pew Research Center, 23 Aug. 2019, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/08/23/most-u-s-teens-who-use-cellphones-do-it-to-pass-time-connect-with-others-learn-new-things/.
“Uniquely Gen Z.” National Retail Federation, 12 Jan. 2017, https://nrf.com/research/uniquely-gen-z.
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