Recently, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a comprehensive report outlining critical recommendations to protect youth online. As an organization dedicated to ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals have equal access to technology and the opportunities it provides, LGBT Tech submitted comments ahead of this report. We are proud to have contributed to this crucial dialogue, and we extend our gratitude to NTIA for their continued efforts in prioritizing the safety and well-being of young people in the digital landscape.
NTIA's report addresses a wide range of issues impacting the online safety of young people, providing recommendations aimed at safeguarding their online experiences while promoting positive digital engagement. Several areas of NTIA's recommendations align closely with our efforts at LGBT Tech. For one, NTIA's focus on strengthening privacy efforts aligns with our advocacy for inclusive privacy measures that address the needs and vulnerabilities of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, both NTIA and LGBT Tech support the promotion of digital literacy programs to help young people navigate online spaces safely and confidently. We also share common ground on the need for robust safety protocols and user-centric features that empower users to control their online experiences, such as tools for muting, blocking, and filtering content.
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We know that LGBTQ+ users, especially young users, have a unique reliance on online spaces. Our research finds that 64% of LGBTQ+ adults joined social media before the age of 18, with more than half joining with the specific intention of accessing LGBTQ+ resources or finding LGBTQ+ support and community.
Online spaces have proven to be crucial for LGBTQ+ youth finding themselves - 74% of LGBTQ+ adults and a remarkable 90% of transgender adults report that this access had an impact on learning about or discovering their identity. With this in mind, we continue to stress the importance of NTIA and other stakeholders to carefully balance privacy protections and safety with freedom of expression and equitable access.
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We commend NTIA for recognizing the importance of protecting all youth online, including those within the LGBTQ+ community, and remain committed to working with NTIA and other stakeholders to ensure recommendations are developed and implemented effectively.
We will continue to advocate for policies that protect and empower LGBTQ+ youth in the digital age. We invite our community and allies to read NTIA's full report and join us in our ongoing efforts to create a safer, more inclusive online world for everyone.
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