How might online moderation, platform governance and state policy together shape the visibility of queer youth, and what effects do these practices have on life‑world possibilities?
Online platforms are increasingly becoming spaces where young people from diverse backgrounds can seek community, share experiences, express themselves, connect with others, learn about different lifestyles, find support, obtain resources, and explore their identity.
There is growing concern that these platforms may be negatively impacting queer youth's sense of belonging and inclusion. Online moderation and platform governance play an important role in shaping how queer youth are visible on these platforms and the types of interactions they can engage in. This raises questions about how these policies impact life‑world possibilities for queer youth.
Online platforms such as social media and dating apps have become popular places for queer youth to meet other like‑minded individuals and form communities. These platforms are often unregulated or self‑regulating, which means that there is no oversight governing what content is posted and who has access to it.
Many social media sites allow users to create personalized profiles that include sexual preferences and interests. On dating apps, users are encouraged to post photos and descriptions of themselves, which includes information about their physical attributes and personality traits. This creates a space for queer youth to connect with peers who share similar interests and identities.
This also opens up the possibility for negative comments and discriminatory behavior towards those who don't conform to societal norms.
The visibility of queer youth online is largely determined by the policies of the platform itself. Platforms typically use algorithms to determine what content is visible and accessible to users. Algorithms prioritize content based on user engagement, which means that posts that get more likes, shares, comments, views, etc., will appear higher on the newsfeed. This system can be problematic for queer youth who may feel marginalized by mainstream narratives of sexuality and gender identity.
If a platform promotes heteronormative relationships or cisgender identities, queer youth may not see content that reflects their experiences.
Some platforms may ban certain language or imagery related to sex and intimacy, further limiting the types of interactions they can engage in.
Government regulation also plays an important role in shaping the visibility of queer youth online. Some countries have implemented laws that prohibit the promotion of non‑traditional sexualities or restrict access to LGBTQ+ resources and services. These laws can have a direct impact on the type of content available on online platforms, as well as how it is presented. In these cases, queer youth may find it difficult to connect with others who share their experiences or find support and resources.
The effects of online moderation, platform governance, and state policy on life‑world possibilities are complex and far-reaching. When queer youth are unable to connect with peers or access resources, they may become isolated and experience feelings of loneliness and exclusion. This can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as increased risk-taking behaviors like substance abuse and self‑harm.
When platforms promote heteronormativity or other forms of oppression, queer youth may internalize negative messages about themselves and their identity, which can affect their sense of belonging and confidence.
Policies surrounding online content moderation and government regulations must be carefully considered to ensure that all young people, including those from marginalized backgrounds, feel safe and supported online.
How might online moderation, platform governance and state policy together shape the visibility of queer youth, and what effects do these practices have on life‑world possibilities?
Online platforms offer opportunities for queer youth to find support and community, but they also face discrimination from other users and moderators who may delete their content or block their accounts if it violates policies. The visibility of queer youth on such platforms depends on how well their content conforms to these policies and whether they are willing to navigate around them by using slang terms or emoji symbols instead of words that explicitly identify themselves as LGBTQ+.