Study reveals startling details about the online habits of gay kids
four hours more than straight kids.The study was published in the Annals of Epidemiology. It looked at data on over 10,000 preteens culled between 2018-2020.
All the youngsters signed up to take part in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. It’s largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States.The study’s lead author is Jason Nagata, MD, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco.“Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents are more likely to experience school-based bullying and exclusion from peer groups due to their sexual orientation, leading them to spend less time in traditional school activities and more time on screens,” says Nagata in a press statement.“Texting, and using social media and the internet for virtual communication could be helpful for LGB preteens to find and receive support from other LGB people who may not be available in their local communities.”On the downside, the kids were also asked if they thought their screen time was problematic.
They were asked if they agreed with statements such as, “I play video games so much that it has a bad effect on my schoolwork,” and “I’ve tried to use my social media apps less but I can’t.”The study concluded that LGB adolescents experienced higher problematic mobile phone and social media use than their straight peers.Have you ever hooked up with someone who advertised themselves using someone else’s photos?
Nagata told Queerty that turning to the digital world and the internet had benefits but also downsides for gay youngsters.“Queer youth who don’t have support in their local communities may turn to the internet to find and receive the help they need.
