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"A Safe Way to Explore": Reframing Risk on the Internet Amidst Young Gay Men's Search for Identity

Overview
Journal J Adolesc Res
Publisher Sage Publications
Specialty Pediatrics
Date 2014 Dec 20
PMID 25525293
Citations 22
Authors
Emily S Pingel
Jose A Bauermeister
Michelle M Johns
Anna Eisenberg
Matthew Leslie-Santana
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Internet use provides a vital opportunity for sexual minority youth to learn about sexual desires and pursue partnerships otherwise publically stigmatized. Researchers, however, have portrayed the Internet as an inherently risky venue for HIV/STI transmission among young gay men (YGM). We therefore investigated how YGM use the Internet during adolescence and emerging adulthood. In the course of 34 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a sample of self-identified YGM, 18-24 years of age, we inquired about initial experiences of online dating. We found that YGM benefit online through exploration of their sexual identities, while simultaneously encountering and negotiating sources of risk. In examining YGM's perceptions of risk, we hope to reach a greater understanding of the opportunities for HIV prevention and health promotion among YGM.

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