X (Twitter): A Protective Platform for Personal Revelations Among Indonesian LGBTQ Adolescents

Social media provides a protective space for LGBTQ adolescents to share their experiences and self-disclosures. Digital platforms such as X (Twitter) offer an environment that is distinct and more open compared to the conservative attitudes commonly found in traditional societies. However, not all social media platforms provide a safe space for LGBTQ adolescents to openly share their identities and personal experiences, highlighting an urgent need to create safer and more educational digital spaces. This study employs a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach to understand the self-disclosure experiences of LGBTQ adolescents on the X platform. The findings reveal that the X platform plays a crucial role in supporting the self-disclosure of LGBTQ adolescents in Indonesia. The motivations for self-disclosure include the desire to acquire and disseminate knowledge, personal expression, self-acceptance, and involvement in LGBTQ movements and groups. The feedback received in self-disclosure encompasses positive responses such as acceptance and recognition, as well as negative responses such as rejection and exclusion. The consequences of self-disclosure are divided into internal benefits, such as self-actualization and increased self-esteem, and external benefits such as social connections and recognition from the community. This study provides insights for social media platform developers to create more inclusive and supportive environments, despite limitations related to sample size and other factors that may influence the results. Future research is recommended to expand the sample size and explore the long-term impacts of online community support on the well-being of LGBTQ adolescents.