Youth Safety & Access
Our Policy Positions
Online spaces provide LGBTQ+ youth with vital opportunities for self-expression, connection, and access to arming resources, often unavailable in their homes, schools, or communities. However, safety in these spaces is paramount. LGBTQ+ youth face unique risks, including exposure to cyberbullying, harassment, and exploitation, which can harm their mental health and well-being. Balancing the need to protect youth with preserving their autonomy and access to life-saving digital resources is critical, as over-moderation or restrictive policies may inadvertently harm LGBTQ+ individuals by curtailing access to supportive spaces.
LGBT Tech advocates for policy frameworks that ensure youth safety while preserving access to arming and inclusive online spaces. We support measures that empower platforms to mitigate harm through clear, transparent and inclusive content guidelines and user-centric safety tools, without compromising the autonomy or digital rights of LGBTQ+ youth.
Youth Privacy & Safe Spaces
Autonomy and privacy are essential to ensuring these spaces remain accessible, particularly for youth navigating environments where they face rejection, discrimination, or a lack of understanding from those around them. Ensuring youth can engage with digital spaces on their terms is vital for fostering a sense of security, self-discovery, and community.
LGBT Tech supports policies that prioritize youth autonomy and privacy in online spaces. We advocate for protections against misuse of personal data and secure platforms that empower LGBTQ+ youth to explore and connect without fear of harm or exposure.
Provisions To Watch For
As legislators seek to regulate online platforms, certain provisions - including and especially age verification, parental consent requirements, and age-appropriate design codes - warrant careful scrutiny due to their potential to disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ youth. While these measures aim to protect minors, they often fail to account for the diverse needs of young people, particularly those who rely on digital spaces for support and resources. For example, parental consent requirements can isolate youth without arming families, and rigid age-based restrictions may unintentionally block access to life-saving LGBTQ+ content. LGBT Tech closely monitors these provisions to ensure they do not unintentionally harm LGBTQ+ individuals or restrict their access to arming online spaces.
LGBT Tech warns against often neutral sounding policy and regulatory provisions that purport to protect youth which can disproportionately harm LGBTQ+ youth under the guise of protection. We advocate for balanced policies that prioritize inclusivity, protect youth autonomy, and ensure access to critical resources and digital spaces.
Language To Watch For
The language used in online platform regulation often reveals its potential impact on LGBTQ+ users. Phrases like "harm to children," "obscenity," "best interest of the child," and "duty of care" may seem benign but have historically been weaponized against marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. Such vague terminology allows for subjective interpretation, enabling discriminatory enforcement that suppresses LGBTQ+ content and voices. By framing discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity as harmful or inappropriate, this language risks perpetuating stigma and limiting access to arming resources. LGBT Tech monitors this language in regulatory efforts to prevent harm to LGBTQ+ users and ensure equitable protections.
LGBT Tech opposes vague and discriminatory language in app store and platform regulation and policies that can be weaponized against LGBTQ+ communities. We advocate for precise, inclusive policy language that ensures fair treatment, protects LGBTQ+ content, and preserves access to online spaces in a fair manner for all users.
Federal Regulatory Considerations
Federal legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) seeks to enhance youth safety online. However, vague provisions, such as "duty of care," can lead to over-censorship of LGBTQ+ content under pressure to mitigate perceived harm. These laws risk incentivizing platforms to exclude discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity, depriving LGBTQ+ youth of essential information and community support. Federal efforts must balance the need for online safety with the preservation of marginalized voices and content.
LGBT Tech advocates for federal regulations that enhance online safety without compromising LGBTQ+ access to critical digital resources. We encourage balanced frameworks that ensure app stores and platforms address risks while protecting the visibility and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
State Regulatory Considerations
State-level social media regulations often overlap with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, creating a patchwork of laws that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Many bills employ vague language like "protecting children" or "obscenity," historically weaponized against LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, state regulations often fail to account for the interstate nature of digital platforms, leading to inconsistent enforcement and barriers to free expression. In states with aggressive anti-LGBTQ+ agendas, these laws risk serious misuse in the suppression of LGBTQ+ content and voices online.
LGBT Tech advocates for transparent, clear, inclusive state policies that protect online access for LGBTQ+ users. We oppose laws that perpetuate discrimination and urge policymakers to prioritize digital literacy and inclusive language in crafting effective regulatory frameworks.
International Regulatory Considerations
Globally, efforts to regulate youth safety online often overlap with anti-LGBTQ+ agendas, mirroring troubling patterns seen in the United States. Vague legislative language, such as references to “protecting children” or combating “obscenity,” is frequently used to justify suppressing LGBTQ+ content and voices. In countries with restrictive laws targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, these regulations can lead to further marginalization, blocking access to critical resources, community networks, and arming spaces online. Additionally, the lack of global consistency in platform regulations creates risks for LGBTQ+ youth navigating international digital spaces, where protections may vary or be entirely absent.
LGBT Tech advocates for international digital policies that prioritize youth safety without reinforcing anti-LGBTQ+ agendas. We call for regulatory language that explicitly protects LGBTQ+ voices and ensures global platforms and app stores provide secure, arming, and inclusive online environments for all youth.
