The Double-Edged Sword of Heightened Risks versus Needed Support: Disentangling the Online Experiences of LGBTQ+ Youth

Pamela Wisniewski, Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University
Tangila Islam Tanni, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Central Florida
Mamtaj Akter, Assistant Professor, New York Institute of Technology
Mary Jean Amon, Assistant Professor, Indiana University

Disclaimer: The views expressed by CDT’s Non-Resident Fellows are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policy, position, or views of CDT.

In today’s digital age, social media and online platforms have become integral to our lives, especially for young people. But have you ever wondered how these online spaces may affect LGBTQ+ youth differently from their heterosexual peers? Our study explores this critical question, examining the frequency and severity of online risks, the impact on mental health, and the specific nature of these experiences for LGBTQ+ youth based on their private social media interactions, e.g., direct messages (DMs). Our findings reveal that this online world can be a double-edged sword, exposing LGBTQ+ youth to unique risks and challenges while also providing a platform for LGBTQ+ youth to seek support from their peers.

In our study, we surveyed 173 youths, including 86 LGBTQ+ youths, aged 13 to 21 in the U.S. about their online and offline risks, focusing on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth compared to their heterosexual peers. Participants were asked to upload their Instagram data and flag private conversations that made them feel unsafe or uncomfortable. 

Higher Risks in Private Spaces: We found that LGBTQ+ youth experience more high-risk conversations  in DMs compared to heterosexual peers (Figure 1). The experiences that LGBTQ+ youth reported were more severe and more likely to involve messages that contained sexual or self-injurious content, highlighting a significant vulnerability in private digital spaces.

Positive and Negative Mental Health Impacts:  We found a strong link between online harassment and self-harming behaviors among LGBTQ+ youth (Figure 2). Specifically, LGBTQ+ youth who received more online harassment reported higher levels of self-harm and injury compared to their heterosexual peers. However, the LGBTQ+ youth who received more sexually risky messages, such as explicit adult content (e.g., photos and videos), porn website URLs, and sexual texts, reported higher levels of mental well-being, contrary to their heterosexual counterparts who experienced a decline in mental well-being. One possible explanation for this paradox is that LGBTQ+ youth use private DMs to engage in positive sexual interactions with their peers, which helped them in meeting their needs for validation and contributed positively to their mental well-being. 

The Double-Edged Sword of Risk and Support: Our research also revealed that LGBTQ+ youth frequently receive sexually motivated messages in their online interactions, including sexual solicitations offering monetary benefits, and harassment texts targeting their sexual identity. However, despite these risks, LGBTQ+ youth often turn to online platforms as vital resources for information about gender, sexuality, and relationships. Many LGBTQ+ youth have online-only friends, viewing these connections as more supportive than their in-person relationships. Thus, DM interactions provided opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth to explore their sexual and gender identities. Importantly, Instagram private conversations served as a channel for LGBTQ+ youth to share their struggles and receive needed support from peers. 

These results underscore the complex nature of online experiences for LGBTQ+ youth. While the internet can expose them to higher risks, it also serves as a lifeline for support, information, and community. This duality presents a challenge for policymakers, tech companies, public health professionals and society at large: How can we create safer online environments without cutting off these vital resources?

• Tailored Interventions: Our work shows the importance of developing interventions grounded in the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth. For example, Project RISE, a single-session online intervention designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth, has effectively reduced internalized stigma and increased identity pride, demonstrating its usefulness. Additionally, organizations like CenterLink provide moderated support chats for LGBTQ+ youth, further supporting the need for tailored approaches. By focusing on such specific needs, we can enhance the effectiveness of support and resources provided to these young people. 

• Prioritizing Resources: Social media companies and policymakers should prioritize resources for the small proportion of youth facing the most severe risks, including many LGBTQ+ youth. This triage approach could focus on those most vulnerable to online harm, providing human-based resources like trained professionals, informational resources, and community-based support. 

• Harnessing Awareness for Growth: The finding that young people participate in the very risks they flag as unsafe suggests a level of awareness that could be harnessed for learning and growth. It’s crucial to identify effective interventions that nurture resilience and coping capacities in LGBTQ+ youth when they encounter low to moderate-risk situations.

• Specialized Education Programs: While existing national programs offer commendable educational resources, there’s a growing demand for specialized education programs tailored to the unique risks and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. These programs should address the specific forms of harassment and discrimination they face online.

• Continuous Engagement and Support: Establishing support platforms for LGBTQ+ youth is insufficient; continuous engagement and timely support are crucial for their effectiveness. This involves ensuring that organizations providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth have sufficient resources and can effectively manage operational challenges. Continuous support also requires that tech companies are continuously testing and iterating on their processes to address unique harms to LGBTQ+ minors.

• Addressing Inequalities: Prioritizing resources for vulnerable youth, including LGBTQ+ individuals, helps address systemic inequalities and disparities in access to support services. By targeting interventions towards those most in need, we can work towards closing the gap in online safety outcomes for chronically marginalized youth.

Our research opens new avenues for understanding and supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the digital age, challenging us to balance online safety with supportive digital communities. Centering the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in discussions about online safety and digital policy is crucial. By implementing evidence-based policies and conducting ongoing research, we can create safer, more supportive online environments for all young people, while addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring the well-being of all youth populations, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

This research was co-led by Tangila Islam Tanni at the University of Central Florida and Dr. Mamtaj Akter at the New York Institute of Technology under the mentorship of Dr. Pamela Wisniewski, a CDT Non-resident Fellow and Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University, as well as her colleague Dr. Mary Jean Amon at Indiana University Bloomington. The work was funded by the National Science Foundation. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the research sponsors.