Navigating the Pros and Cons of Social Media for Teenagers

Social media can be a lifeline for LGBTQ youth, providing a sense of identity and belonging at a crucial age, much earlier than for many LGBTQ people in previous generations. Despite the risks associated with social media use, research has found that often, social media use has been more beneficial than not for LGBTQ youth. They use social media to explore their identities, find emotional support, and search for information about their identities and health. Online communities provided them with acceptance during pandemic lockdowns, when some were home with families who did not support them.