Social media savvy: how LGBTQ+ youth create positive and affirming experiences online

Social media is commonly used by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth to connect and communicate with their peers; however, little is known about strategies LGBTQ+ youth use to safely navigate social media. Individuals aged 14–18 living in the United States who identified as LGBTQ+ (n = 14) were recruited online. During virtual interviews, participants described how they connected with other LGBTQ+ youth on social media and their strategies for creating affirming and positive experiences. Additionally, they talked about their negative experiences online, and ways they avoid discriminatory behavior on various platforms. Many used social media to connect with friends from their home community or school, while others used social media to find new friends and community. Participants often used social media to connect with LGBTQ+ resources, posts, and creators. Many participants faced bullying online, including one participant who experienced “going viral” on social media. To avoid discriminatory behavior, LGBTQ+ youth employed strategies such as using private accounts and blocking negative and discriminatory content. These results can be used to inform future research and clinical practice to help LGBTQ+ youth stay safe on social media.