Information seeking
Anything a young person would be embarrassed or ashamed to ask
their peers or parents about, they're likely to ask the Internet.
The 2009 Nielson Report "How Teens Use Media"1 concluded that for teens, social networks are
a key source of information and advice, and 57% of teen social
networkers said they looked to their online social network for
advice. This is 63% higher than for the typical social
networker.
Investigating health concerns
Even if a young person is seeking treatment from their GP or
other medical professional, they will often check for side-effects
of medications online, or get second opinions and treatment reviews
from online forums and peers. One example is What Works 4 U, where young
people review their mental health treatment plans and anonymously
allow young people to read about the experiences of others before
starting a new treatment option.
ReachOut.com is a youth
mental health website where young people can access mental
health information, positive stories and experiences of overcoming
mental health difficulties, and a support community of other young
people. Find out more
Investigating sexuality and identity
Often, sexuality is something that teens find it very difficult
to talk about, especially if they think that their friends feel
differently on the subject. Questions of sexual health,
contraception, STIs and sexual attraction are often directed to
online forums that would have been unasked or directed to teen
magazine relationship columnists 10 years ago.
High schools can be extremely marginalising places with high
risk of bullying, and so sex, gender and sexually diverse young
people usually seek information online and view the stories of
others before risking talking about their own sexuality with
schoolmates. Especially for trans* people, the Internet can be
their first contact with information about gender identity and
transitioning.
Finding supportive communities
Many people from minority or marginalised groups do not have the
opportunity to form real life communities. The Bridging the Digital
Divide Report2 highlighted the benefits
of online behaviour specifically for marginalised youth.
Culturally and linguistically diverse people can maintain their
culture and language online, even if their town or school doesn't
have anyone else who understands their language or heritage or
practices their culture. This is also especially true for recent
migrants, eager to keep in touch with family and friends back
home.
For people with disabilities, particularly those with speech
impairments or who are deaf, online communication can be an
extremely valuable tool.
Many people with mental health problems feel that people who
don't have the same problem can't really understand, and are
socially isolated in their schools and family, but find community
online in a less threatening environment.
For same-sex attracted youth, the net is an important tool both
in terms of providing support and information as well as the
opportunity to meet new people. Reading coming out stories online
is a common way for same-sex attracted youth to prepare for coming
out themselves.
Of course, these are the more extreme examples. Finding
supportive communities online is not just for the socially isolated
and can just mean sharing your artwork or other creative endeavours
in a space where people can give feedback.
ReachOut.com provides a
mental health forum where young people can connect
with other people and find strategies for overcoming mental health
difficuties. Click here to visit the ReachOut.com
forums