Generational Differences in Social Media Use, Gender Identity, and Sexuality Among Young Lgbtiq+ People in Australia

Abstract

For LGBTIQ+ people, the internet and social media are key channels for communicating and connecting with queer peers, and learning about queer life and queer experiences. While digital social spaces have evolved over the past 20 to 30 years, many of the motivations for using these platforms remain the same. This paper draws on data from the Scrolling Beyond Binaries study, centred on a national Australian survey of 1,304 young LGBTIQ+ people. We present key findings from the study examining generational differences across our four age cohorts of our young respondents: 16–20, 21–25, 26–30 and 30–35. Even among this group of young people, we find stark differences by age in self-identification related to gender and sexuality, and also patterns of difference in the social media platforms they use. Our younger respondents identify with much more fluid forms of gender and sexuality, and also tend to favour dating and hook-up apps that are more inclusive. We seek to foreground the ways in which the internet continues to be significant for our respondents for social connection and learning. We also add to our understandings of the complex and evolving ways in which young LGBTIQ+ people use and thus (re)produce digital social spaces, returning to Nina Wakeford’s (2000 [1997]) consideration of ‘cyberqueer spaces’.

Dating in Motion: Online Dating Through the Lives of Different Generations of Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…In the present, all generations eagerly use dating and hookup sites and apps, but their uses differ in terms of preferences for more targeted gay-only sites and apps such as PlanetRomeo (Baby Boomers and Generation X) versus more recent apps such as Grindr (particularly popular among Millennials) and more open apps such as Tinder (among Generation Z). This confirms the findings of Robards et al, (2018Robards et al, ( , 2019 and also reflects the more varied and fluid sexual and gender identifications among younger generations as found in this and other research (Persson et al, 2020;Russell et al, 2009). Overall, these quantitative findings indicate a first kind of motion: the changing uses and experiences of online dating across different generations.…”

“…Clearly, for Millennials with access to dating and hookup sites and apps, these played an important role in connecting to others. Access further rose for Generation Z respondents, a large majority of which (about 95% for each) had access to these services when exploring their sexuality, and for whom the more recent and less targeted apps were most popular, in line with the findings of Robards et al, (2018Robards et al, ( , 2019: Tinder 57.4%, Grindr 44.9% and PlanetRomeo 13.5%.…”

“…Gudelunas (2012a) developed this perspective, exploring the differences between cohorts growing up with or without internet access, noting on the importance of online culture in relation to sexuality. Most recently, Robards et al, (2018Robards et al, ( , 2019 systematically explored generational differences between four younger cohorts (between 16 and 35), noting on the ever shifting significance of digital media use. In terms of dating and hookup apps, younger participants preferred more recent and more flexible apps such as Tinder while older cohorts preferred older and more targeted apps like Grindr.…”

‘#OkBoomer, time to meet the Zoomers’: studying the memefication of intergenerational politics on TikTok

“…Aside from boycotting Boomers' gender normative views on young people's appearances, young TikTokers also use the #OkBoomer trend to shed light on the older generation's conservative views on homosexuality and transgender issues. Review studies have identified the 'enduring significance' (Robards et al, 2018) of platforms and social media for queer young people to express their feelings, air grievances, and seek community. Unsurprisingly, this is similarly the case on TikTok where most videos on queer issues and topics are created by young TikTokers who self-identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.…”

Queer media generations: Shifting identifications and media uses among non-heterosexual men

“…Gudelunas (2012) more closely explored generational differences among LGBTQs, identifying 1965 as a dividing line between older gay men and lesbians (digital adopters, who tended to consider their sexual identity as a central defining identity) and a younger cohort (digital natives, who tended to consider their sexual identity as one of many). More recently, Robards et al (2018Robards et al ( , 2019 extensively investigated generational differences in social media use among young LGBT people, observing more diverse sexual identifications among their younger cohorts (under 26), as well as lower social media use among their older cohorts (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35).…”