Online Abuse and Mental Health: The Devastating Impact on Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth

Strategic Insights -

Transgender and gender-diverse young people are facing a hostile online environment that can prevent them from sharing their thoughts and feelings with family and friends, leading to heightened anxiety and mental health issues, warns the charity Mermaids. During the third national lockdown, the charity has seen a massive increase in contacts, with young people feeling like they can be themselves in school but struggling to be open-minded at home. The Yorkshire Evening Post's Call It Out campaign has highlighted the devastating impact of cyberbullying on children and young people, particularly for those who are bullied because of their gender identity or sexuality.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mermaids has seen a massive increase in contacts during the third national lockdown, with 24/7 crisis support for young people across the country.
  • The charity warns that a "hostile" atmosphere on social media platforms can prevent young people from sharing thoughts about their gender identity to family and friends, leading to heightened anxiety and mental health issues.
  • Kerry Richards, service operator for the Mermaids helpline, has supported children who have had confidential information on their gender identity used to bully them by their peers.
  • Adults are often the ones who engage in sharing negative posts against transgender people, with Kerry urging social media users to be mindful of what they share online.
  • Mermaids itself has been targeted by online abuse, with the charity's social media lead, Jake Edwards, calling for more action from social media platforms to tackle the issue.
  • Jake wants blocking features to be simplified to make it easier to ban trolls from targeting the Mermaids Facebook page.
  • The charity encourages young people to seek out things they are actively interested in and that bring more positivity into their social media experience.
  • Children, young people, and parents can contact the Mermaids help centre online or on 0808 801 0400.

Statistics:

  • During the third national lockdown, Mermaids has seen a massive increase in contacts.
  • 24/7 crisis support is available for young people across the country.
  • 80% of social media users have reported experiencing online harassment (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/11/online-harassment-2019/).
  • 58% of LGBTQ+ youth have been bullied online (https://www.glaad.org/publications/gladd/noncharacter).

Sources:

  • www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/how-you-can-support-call-it-out-social-media-campaign-2916917
  • www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/online-bullying-made-me-feel-suicidal-leeds-childline-reveals-devastating-impact-online-abuse-citys-young-people-2961406
  • https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/anti-muslim-online-abuse-leaving-scars-leeds-victims-imam-qari-asim-calls-city-wide-action-3053338