Accessing sexual health information online: use, motivations and consequences for youth with different sexual orientations

Abstract

We examine reasons why youth of different sexual orientations look for sexual health information online, and what, if anything, they do with it. The Teen Health and Technology study involved online surveys of 5542 Internet users, ages 13 through 18 in the United States. Searching for sexual health information online was reported frequently and varied significantly by sexual orientation: from 19% of heterosexual youth to 78% of gay/lesbian/queer youth. The most common reasons youth look for sexual health information is for privacy and curiosity. Sexual minority youth are more likely than heterosexual youth to report that they looked for information online because they did not have anyone to ask. Once youth have the information, no differences by sexual orientation were noted as to what they did with it. Instead, seeking out the information for privacy-related reasons and having no one to ask were related to taking some action on the information received. Findings indicate that online information is most valuable to those youth who lack alternatives. Care needs to be taken to help ensure that the sexual health information online is accurate and includes topics specific to sexual minority youth.

Top or Bottom? Varsity youth talk about gay sexuality in a Stepping Stones Workshop: Implications for sexual health

“…Research has demonstrated that LGBTI youth are more likely to struggle with issues of access to sexual health information and services and this may influence such a population in seeking information elsewhere, such as online interactive spaces (Knight et al 2014;Mitchell et al 2014). Constructs of sexuality in terms of being a 'top' or a 'bottom' have been explored by researchers interested in the sexual identification and practice of gay men, and attest to the complexities of identification that language and labelling practice imply in general (GrundyBowers, Hardy and McKeown 2015;Johns et al 2012;Kippax and Smith 2001;Matebeni and Msibi 2015;McGill and Collins 2014a;McGill and Collins 2014b;.…”

“…According to research, many closeted gay men often experience a sense of shame through internalised homophobia and may also feel fear about being 'outed' when seeking knowledge and information about sexual health practice (Emlet et al 2015). For many of these men, silencing or alternative means of accessing information may be adopted (Mitchell et al 2014) that do not guarantee effective strategies of combatting unsafe sex practice. The interface of internalised homophobia with seeking access to health services and other avenues for counselling and communication is a strong relationship that many gay men face (Weber-Gilmore, Rose and Rubinstein 2011).…”

“…This is not to argue that bottom-identifying men are more easily able to access health-related services. Indeed, many openly gay men have reported feeling discriminated against and shamed by health practitioners because of their sexuality (Emlet et al 2015;Fisher and Mustanski 2014;Knight et al 2014;Meyer 2003;Mitchell et al 2014). Other research points to the presence of psychosocial and mental stress factors amongst many gay men (Cook et al 2013;Nel 2009;Sandfort, Melendez and Diaz 2007).…”

“…The data were collected through mixed PAR focus group discussions with gay, lesbian and bisexual youth at a Stepping Stones Workshop. Sexual and reproductive health remains a key concern for young people, both male and female, and has been shown to have long-lasting impact on psychosocial development and well-being (Knight et al 2014;Meyer 2003;Mitchell et al 2014;Nel 2009). The Stepping Stones Workshop was initially developed as a response to some of the challenges of decision-making and knowledge about sexual behaviour that are often faced in sexual health, knowledge and practice (Bhattacharjee 2000; 151 Dunkle et al 2006;Jewkes, Cornwall and Röhr-Rouendaal 1998;Jewkes et al 2006;Paine et al 2002;Santhya and Jejeebhoy 2015;Shaw and Jawo 2000;Welbourn 1995;Wood and Jewkes 1997).…”

Understanding Adolescents

“…Alternatively, since media and technology transcend the boundaries of physically distinct everyday environments, such as home and school, they may be conceptualised as creating an important microsystem within their own right. Adolescents increasingly turn to media and technology as a source of sociocultural information to guide their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours in a variety of domains (Lloyd, 2002;Mitchell, Ybarra, Korchmaros, & Kosciw, 2014), much in the same way they may have traditionally turned to family, teachers and peers (Strasburger & Wilson, 2002).…”