Have you ever noticed the similarity across what’s written about the experiences of young people on social media? The narratives are mostly the same. This isn’t surprising considering that most are authored by older people who cite valid research but frame their interpretation of social media’s influence on young people as negative and harmful. The reality is much more nuanced. Understanding the evidence through the lens of young people is the key to helping us find opportunities to foster greater mental health and well-being outcomes for them.
Hopelab’s report on parasocial relationships, AI chatbots, and joyful interactions online asked young Queer people to describe how they’ve experienced joy through interactions they’ve had on social media. One of the themes that emerged is that LGBTQ+ young people find joy in forming friendships and relationships online. Participants shared that these relationships are important in many ways, such as providing emotional support, serving as a refuge from difficulties they’re facing, and helping them find reasons to live.
When online is better than IRL
For many LGBTQ+ young people, social media is a vital tool in navigating the complexities of identity formation. Those developing, accepting, and integrating their sexual or gender identities often face isolation, particularly if they lack role models or peers in their in-person communities. This sense of isolation can create significant barriers to well-being. However, social media offers a lifeline by providing windows into diverse experiences, allowing LGBTQ+ young people to find and connect with individuals who share their identities.
This need for companionship and belonging, which may be difficult to find offline, is often fulfilled online. Through parasocial relationships—connections formed with media figures and content creators—young Queer people can see themselves reflected in others, building a sense of community. As one Black gay/lesbian, nonbinary young adult explained, “When you are isolated socially in real life, there is comfort in finding other people like you that you can turn to when your situation is fraught. I met my best friend of seven years this way.” Many respondents similarly stated that social media helps them feel less alone, emphasizing the importance of these digital spaces for fostering connection.
Seeing yourself in others is vital for young Queer people
Many of the survey respondents shared that they lived in families or communities where Queerness is not accepted, or that they don’t know any Queer people in real life. Seeing and interacting with people online who shared their identity made them feel less isolated and gave them hope that they can live freely as their authentic selves. One white, bisexual/pansexual teen girl participant shared: “Knowing that these people were not only surviving but thriving in the most queer way possible truly saved my life, and I am incredibly thankful everyday for the queer creators who changed my life because I don’t know where I would be without them.”
When we asked LGBTQ+ young people in our study to name their favorite Queer content creators, something interesting stood out: the most popular creators weren’t the big-name celebrities one might expect. The favorites were smaller, more relatable creators—those with loyal followings but not necessarily household names. During interviews, young people explained that smaller creators felt more authentic, their content was less curated, more frequent, and followers often watched their personal growth unfold naturally. These creators often managed their own accounts, making interactions with followers more personal (even possible).
Centering Queer joy
When talking about these experiences on social media, young Queer people described feelings of hope, joy, acceptance, and support. Much of the existing research on social media is focused on negative outcomes, like depression and anxiety, and there is a lot less literature on how social media can lead to positive outcomes that support adolescent well-being. Hopelab’s report seeks to fill these gaps in the research. Additionally, the narratives need to include the perspectives of young people. Asking young people to be a part of the research process can lead to learning about outcomes like joy found on social media platforms. As we learn more about how social media can bring joy, we can take action to foster these outcomes while mitigating risks and harms.
It’s imperative to fund more asset-based research to discover ways to ensure that queer young people aren’t just surviving, but thriving. In addition, we must work with young people to translate these findings to improve policy, funding, and product decisions. This is essential to improving well-being outcomes for young Queer people. By investing in asset-based approaches, we can cultivate an environment where queer young people can flourish.
