"We Grew Up Thinking Like That": A Qualitative Study on Adolescents' Perceptions of Online Homophobia.

Abstract

Homophobia is a societal process that marginalizes non-heteronormative identities through attitudes, behaviors, and institutional norms. In digital spaces, these dynamics appear as online homophobia, including homophobic cyberbullying. While prior research has examined cultural aspects of homophobia, fewer studies have explored how adolescents perceive its presence online. This study presents findings from 17 focus groups involving 95 adolescents (Mage = 17.9, SD = 1.3; 77.8% girls, 21.1% boys) conducted in Northern Italy. Participants reflected on online homophobic behavior and the factors that sustain it. Thematic analysis revealed two overarching themes: (1) the influence of cultural and social norms, and (2) personal beliefs and attitudes. Subthemes included the role of family and religion, peer conformity, social validation, gendered expectations, and reliance on stereotypes. Adolescents described online homophobia not only as an extension of offline prejudice, but also as a way to signal belonging or avoid marginalization. Participants also discussed emotional motives such as fear, insecurity, and frustration as key drivers behind online homophobic behavior. These findings point to the need for educational and policy interventions that address the normalization of homophobic language, foster critical digital literacy, and promote online spaces that support gender and sexual diversity.