Queer youth online: Negotiating identity amid anti-gender movements

This qualitative study examines the role of social media for Hungarian LGBTQ+ youth (ages 14–25) in navigating their identities amidst discriminatory policies. Based on 16 in-depth interviews, it identifies five key social media affordances: anonymity, audience curation, content curation, visibility, and connectivity. Despite government oppression, participants find some societal acceptance through positive online experiences. Social media enables identity exploration, connection, and solidarity in an unsupportive political environment. However, challenges like online harassment and conflicting discourses persist. This research highlights the crucial role of digital spaces in identity development and community building. It underscores how social media simultaneously empowers and challenges identity work, highlighting its evolving role in shaping the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals grappling with discrimination and seeking understanding.