"Hey, i'm having these experiences": Tumblr use and young people's queer (dis)connections

Byron, P; Robards, B; Hanckel, B; Vivienne, S; Churchill, B

"Hey, i'm having these experiences": Tumblr use and young people's queer (dis)connections

Byron, P

Robards, B Hanckel, B Vivienne, S Churchill, B

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Communication, 2019, 13 pp. 2239 - 2259
Issue Date:: 2019-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Byron, P https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6591-3060	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Robards, B	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hanckel, B	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Vivienne, S	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Churchill, B	en_US
dc.date.issued	2019-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Communication, 2019, 13 pp. 2239 - 2259	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134585
dc.description.abstract	© 2019 Paul Byron, Brady Robards, Benjamin Hanckel, Son Vivienne, and Brendan Churchill. This article explores LGBTIQ+ young people's use of Tumblr-a social media platform often associated with queer youth cultures. Drawing on data from surveys (N = 1,304) and interviews (N = 23) with LGBTIQ+ young people in Australia, we argue that existing notions of "queer community" through digital media participation do not neatly align with young people's Tumblr practices. Our participants use Tumblr for connecting with others, yet these connections can be indirect, short term, and anonymous. Connections are often felt and practiced without directly communicating with other users, and many participants described their connections to the Tumblr platform itself as intense, pivotal to learning about genders and sexualities, and sometimes "toxic." We suggest that Tumblr use intensities reflect many young people's (dis)connections to queer life. Participant accounts of Tumblr use for identity, well-being, and (dis)connection practices can usefully inform health, education, and community workers engaging with LGBTIQ+ young people.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Communication	en_US
dc.title	"Hey, i'm having these experiences": Tumblr use and young people's queer (dis)connections	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	13	en_US
utslib.for	2001 Communication and Media Studies	en_US
utslib.for	1902 Film, Television and Digital Media	en_US
utslib.for	1903 Journalism and Professional Writing	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/IKM and Digital Studies Program
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	13	en_US

Abstract:

© 2019 Paul Byron, Brady Robards, Benjamin Hanckel, Son Vivienne, and Brendan Churchill. This article explores LGBTIQ+ young people's use of Tumblr-a social media platform often associated with queer youth cultures. Drawing on data from surveys (N = 1,304) and interviews (N = 23) with LGBTIQ+ young people in Australia, we argue that existing notions of "queer community" through digital media participation do not neatly align with young people's Tumblr practices. Our participants use Tumblr for connecting with others, yet these connections can be indirect, short term, and anonymous. Connections are often felt and practiced without directly communicating with other users, and many participants described their connections to the Tumblr platform itself as intense, pivotal to learning about genders and sexualities, and sometimes "toxic." We suggest that Tumblr use intensities reflect many young people's (dis)connections to queer life. Participant accounts of Tumblr use for identity, well-being, and (dis)connection practices can usefully inform health, education, and community workers engaging with LGBTIQ+ young people.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134585