Author Information
Kirsten Graham, Fielding Graduate University, United StatesJulia Toews, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Teija Yli-Renko, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Wallace Wong, Diversity and Emotional Wellness Centre, Canada
Abstract
Social media platforms and online communities serve as valuable resources for gender-diverse youth (i.e., transgender, non-binary, and gender-questioning youth, hereafter, TGDY) to explore different identities and connect with supportive networks. Experimenting with various gender identities and expressions anonymously online can offer these youth a sense of safety, which is crucial for identity development and may encourage later disclosure to family and peers. However, online spaces also carry risks, such as cyberbullying, exposure to misinformation, and the potential for youth to be outed before they are ready. This study builds on existing research by exploring how TGDY navigate online gender experimentation and offline coming-out processes. As part of a larger project on factors influencing disclosure decisions, over 400 qualitative reports from TGDY attending a gender health clinic in British Columbia were reviewed, from which 25 were selected for in-depth analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted using a three-dimensional framework of function, intention, and intensity. Five key themes emerged: discovery, identity exploration, emotional refuges, rehearsal spaces, and mentorship and contribution. The findings reflect the advantages and challenges of online gender exploration previously identified in the literature. They offer insight into how social media platforms and online communities can both support and complicate identity development and coming-out experiences for TGDY youth in Canada. Conclusions emphasize the need for safe, supportive online spaces and stress the importance of online literacy education for both youth and their support networks.
Paper Information
Conference: ACP2025Stream: Psychology and Education
This paper is part of the ACP2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Graham K., Toews J., Yli-Renko T., & Wong W. (2025) Online Communities and Identity Exploration: Insights From Gender-Diverse Youth in Canada ISSN: 2187-4743 – The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences 2025 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 439-449) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.35
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.35
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