Studies show that young LGBTQ+ have worse mental health results without reaching safe spaces online

When LGBTQ+ youth do not feel safe or admitted in their daily lives, they resort to the Internet to search for society. Two new studies, paid by Trevor Project and Hopbila/Born This Way Foundation, each of them found that young people LGBTQ+ report more depression, anxiety, and think about suicide or attempts when they cannot reach safe communities online.

“The majority of LGBTQ+ young people agreed to go to the Internet to communicate with others because it is difficult to do this in their daily lives, with 38 % approval of some extent and 36 % consistently agreed,” according to the study of the Trefor project.

the Hopbilalab study Likewise, I found that 44 % of young LGBTQ+ feel very safe in the online spaces, compared to only 9 % personally. The research shows that online affiliation is especially important for mental health for sexually transformed youth.

“Sexual transgender youth have little control over their physical environment or admission level in their communities,” the study is observed. “However, online spaces can provide an alternative source of support – providing emotional communication, emphasizing content and useful information.”

LGBTQ youth remains vulnerable to capabilities Negative effects One of the social media is for adolescents, which remained Hot topic Among the American lawmakers for years.

“Even in the face of these risks, the LGBTQ+ young people still report online spaces, perhaps because of a variety of benefits they can offer, such as a sense of society, support and resources.”

These societies enhance mutual support. According to Hopelab, 74 % of the transgender youth reported that they regularly provide encouragement to others online.

These communities online have become more important because more than 600 laws affect LGBTQ+ are distributed in the United States, restricting the expression of the identity of the stranger. Twelve countries Laws have been enacted by sexual activity discussions and sexual identity in school The worst results of mental health Due to discrimination and harassment.

While these studies prove that online societies can be useful for mental health for young LGBTQ+ He expressed concern Which – which New Internet legislation Be able to Reducing the arrival of teenagers For these supportive digital spaces.

Online safety law (Kosa) online is especially suitable, after that Restore In May yet Traffic In the Senate last year, but failure in the House of Representatives during the previous session.

Kusa will enable the government to hold social media platforms accountable Adequately Protect minors from harm.

Under a previous version of Kosa, LGBTQ+ Advocates It raised concerns about the ruling This would allow the individual state lawyer to determine the harmful content of children-a source of concern in view of the continuous level of the state Discussions On LGBTQ+ Rights.

After the review, the FTC enforcement zucchini will present. This change Treated concerns From the Da`wah groups under the management of Biden. But when President Trump was elected in 2024, the leadership of the Federal Trade Committee changed its hands, raising concerns about the potential federal supervision of LGBTQ+ communities via the Internet.

“Given the impact of unnecessary environments and expertise on LGBTQ+, many may face mental health challenges and move to online platforms for communication and support,” says the Trefor project study. “The use of these reasons can be to justify limiting access to online platforms with severe consequences, and possibly isolation and reduce support for LGBTQ risks, thus exacerbating mental health challenges and suicide risks.”