Growing up gay in a digital world: A double-edged sword for sexual minority young men in England

When reality does not meet expectations: What sexual minority assigned-male-at-birth adolescents learn from using geosocial networking apps.

“…The discrepancy between expectations and reality can affect the perceived quality and satisfaction of app use, resulting in poorer well-being (Brubaker et al, 2016; Yeo & Fung, 2016; Zervoulis et al, 2020). Overall, our findings highlight that the sexualized culture of adult online dating communities (aimed largely at cisgender sexual minority men) can be intimidating for adolescents and youth experiencing such culture for the first time (Baker, 2021).…”

“…These experiences could have a long-lasting impact on adolescents’ development. For instance, they may learn to internalize or come to terms with the discrimination based on their minoritized identities (e.g., race/ethnicity and body size) from those within their own community (Baker, 2021). Clinicians, therapists, and adult stakeholders working with LGBTQ adolescents should consider the role of intersectional stigma in online and offline relationship formation.…”

“…Despite some potential risks, online technologies help sexual minority adolescents explore their sexuality in a quasi-anonymous space, connect to other sexual minority youth, learn about sexual health, and overcome barriers to relationship formation in physical spaces (Baker, 2021; DeHaan et al, 2013; Harper et al, 2016; Korchmaros et al, 2015; Mustanski et al, 2011; Stout et al, 2023). Given these online benefits and offline barriers, SM-AMAB adolescents may ignore the age restrictions of GSN apps (Baker, 2021; Dhoest, 2022; Lykens et al, 2019). However, topics regarding online dating and relationships are relatively missing from current education and conversations (Jozsa et al, 2021).…”