scrolling beyond binaries: exploring social media use amongst young lgbtiq+ australians
TRANSCRIPT
Scrolling Beyond Binaries: Exploring social media use amongst young LGBTIQ+ Australians
Brendan ChurchillUniversity of Tasmania
[email protected]@brenchurchill
Brady Robards University of Tasmania
[email protected]@bradyjay
#TASA2016
Ben HanckelSonja Vivienne
Paul Byron
Commissioned Artwork by Alyssa Smedley, Horrible Horris Designs
BACKGROUNDFor queer and gender diverse people, the internet can be used for:
• coming to terms with a sense of self (Hiller et al. 2010; Taylor et al. 2014; Hanckel & Morris 2014);
• connecting with like-minded others (Russell 2002);
• participating in civic life (Vivienne 2016);
• finding sexual health information (Mustanski, Lyons & Garcia 2010); and
• dating or hook-ups (Light, Fletcher & Adam 2008; Roth 2014)
Growing body of literature on the ‘risks’ associated with social media use amongst young people (broadly) in relation to…
• bullying (Nilan et al. 2015);
• privacy (Marwick & boyd 2014);
• sexting (Albury & Crawford 2012; Albury 2015);
• sharing sexual health information (Byron, Albury & Evers 2013); and
• predation (boyd & Hatgittai 2013)
THE SCROLLING BEYOND BINARIES PROJECT
How do young LGBTIQ+ people in Australia use digital social media?
• For communication?• For maintaining existing relationships? (Family, friends, romantic and/or
sexual partners, peers, co-workers)• For creating new relationships? (Friendships, romantic and/or sexual
partnerships, and mentorships)• For finding out information? (On sexual identity, on sexual health, on local
community, on queer culture)
What forms of social media are young queer people in Australia using to establish a sense of connection and community, especially in areas outside the major cities?
What is the relationship between young queer people’s social media use and their health and well-being? (Including mental health and sexual health)
Can a sense of connection or community fostered through the internet help to mitigate against the effects of homophobia, rejection, isolation and exclusion?
APPROACH
• Mixed methods study – two phase project
• Phase One: Survey
• Sample: Young LGBITQ+ Australians, 16-35 years of age (n=1387)• Data Collection Period: June – November 2016• Recruitment: Facebook, Instagram paid advertisements; targeted
approaches to schools in rural Australia via school networks; targeted approaches to LGBITQ+ health services and networks (e.g. Twenty10, Working It Out)
• Four components: 1. Social media use–social media platforms, motivations,
connecting with who, time spent using, use over time 2. Community/Sense of belonging3. Health and well-being–SF-8, sexual health, mental health,
experiences of harassment, etc.4. Social and demographic data
DEMOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW
Gender identity Sexuality identity
‘Always connected’
SELF-ASSESSED HEALTH STATUS(LOWER SCORE = BETTER HEALTH)
National Health Survey Sample
SBB Sample
SBB - Lesbian, gay or homosexual
SBB - Bisexual
SBB - Queer
SBB - Different Identity
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
25=34 16-24
SELF-ASSESSED HEALTH BY PLATFORMFacebook
Snapchat
Tumblr
YouTube
Tinder
Her
Grindr
Scruff
OkCupid
Hornet
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
SELF-ASSESSED HEALTH BY PLATFORMFacebook
Snapchat
Tumblr
YouTube
Tinder
Her
Grindr
Scruff
OkCupid
Hornet
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
USEFULNESS OF PLATFORMS FOR INFORMATION ON SEX, SEXUALITY AND GENDER (LOWER SCORE=MORE USEFUL)
Facebook Instagram Twitter Tumblr Redit YouTube Tinder Her Grindr Scruff0
1
2
3
4
5
6Urban Regional Rural
USEFULNESS OF PLATFORMS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LGBTIQ+ COMMUNITIES IN AREA
Facebook Instagram Twitter Tumblr Reddit YouTube Tinder Her Grindr Scruff0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ubran Regional Rural
CONCLUSIONS/TRAJECTORIES• Different platforms serve different functions for LGBTIQ+ young
people, and can afford specific cultures and ‘queer ecosystems’ (Cho 2015)
• Platforms for information/culture: Tumblr, subreddits, YouTube channels = safe digital spaces?
• Local physical communities: Facebook• So much more to be done…
• Tumblr as queer ecosystem • Dating and hook-up apps• Regional/urban• Past digital media (LiveJournal, MySpace)• Phase 2: 23 interviews already done, 140+ volunteers
scrollingbeyondbinaries.com
@bradyjay @brenchurchill