Queer Identity on Social Media: The Influence of Online Community on Identity Development of LGBTQ Youth in Contemporary China
Open AccessAbstractPurpose: The main purpose of this study has been to determine the how online communities influence the development of queer youths in the contemporary China. To achieve this purpose, this study has examined what it is like to be a queer in China, how LGBTQ youths in China use social media, and whether social media has a positive impact on LGBTQs in China. Methods: To achieve the study objectives, PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Revies and Meta-Analysis) is used to identify the studies that met the research inclusion criteria. This resulted in 15 studies being selected based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria that was used. Results: The studies that were selected provided critical insight to suggest that young queer in China use social media for various reasons. Studies indicated that young LGBTQ Chinese use social media to identify groups with similar views, find mates, and feel like they belong to a community, as well as collect information, which will help with their identity formation and maintenance. The findings also show that social media positively impacts LGBTQs in regards to their formation and maintenance of their identity. Conclusion: Results obtained in this review have shown that in a country such as China where queers are still being marginalized despite their huge population, social media plays an important role in helping them develop and maintain their identities.
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