"I'm not alone here": A qualitative study of social media as a source of support for transgender and gender diverse youth of color.

Abstract

Background: Social media has come under scrutiny, leading to recommendations that adolescents reduce or eliminate use. However, social media may offer benefits, particularly to marginalized groups; understanding ways in which this social context can be positive and supportive is expected to lead to more targeted recommendations for use.

Methods: This qualitative study investigates ways in which social media is a source of support for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth of color. Participants were recruited through youth serving organizations, community events, a Youth Advisory Board, personal and professional networks, and prior study contacts. We conducted and analyzed 43 individual interviews with 13-19-year-old TGD youth of color from the United States in 2022. 37 participants specifically referenced social media as a source of support. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive inductive and deductive processes to identify common themes.

Results: Six main themes emerged: curating online spaces, finding acceptance and friends, finding similar others, representation matters, learning and getting information, and digital allyship. Results indicate that social media has the potential to be a meaningful source of support for TGD youth of color.

Conclusions: Public conversation and preventive interventions require a more nuanced discussion of the risks and benefits of social media, including practical recommendations for media literacy and intentional curation of online spaces to bolster support for TGD youth of color.