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https://theconversation.com/trans-youth-are-already-among-australias-most-marginalised-people-the-social-media-ban-could-make-this-worse-244657>
I’m not sure if you remember Kaitlyn and Leah […] they are social media
famous and they’re a couple. That was the first time I’d seen representation
in a positive way, ‘cause of my dad being so conservative about it […] And
then I just saw a happy couple together. And I was like this actually
doesn’t seem like the terrible thing that I am taught it is, you know.
– Sam
"This quote is taken from a recent interview one of us (Anna) conducted with a
trans teen living in Melbourne. It was the beginning of what turned out to be a
detailed learning journey highlighting the role of internet access in trans
youths’ education – and the importance of Instagram in creating safe spaces for
them.
The Albanese government has passed a bill that will introduce a minimum age of
16 for most social media platforms, in a bid to protect children from social
harm.
But our research has found social media platforms can play a very specific and
much-needed role in the lives of Australia’s transgender youth, who face
significantly higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges compared
with their cisgender peers.
Transgender youth have symptoms of depression at nearly ten times the rate of
the general young population, and anxiety disorders at ten to 13 times the
average rate. A 2021 study also found nearly half of Australia’s transgender
individuals had attempted suicide at some point in their lives.
Poor mental health is not inherent to trans people; it is caused by experiences
of societal hostility, stigma, discrimination and a lack of support. Their
wellbeing can be significant improved through supportive environments and
access to appropriate resources."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
