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Digital media and risks involved for the LGBT community

2020; Oxford University Press; Volume: 30; Issue: Supplement_5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.802

1464-360X

MARCOS AURÉLIO DA SILVA SOUSA, M D O Lima, P A Oliveira,

Cultural, Media, and Literary Studies

Abstract Background With the increase in the use of the internet and digital media, the number of people looking to network digitally, or just to find someone to have romantic or sexual encounters, has also increased. For this, there are networks and applications that are used for the purpose of romantic and sexual encounters, such as Tinder, Happn, Badoo, Scruff, Grindr, among others. These types of networks currently allow and facilitate sexual contact, making it possible to arrange meetings only for the so-called casual sex, which can be defined as a kind of sexual experience that occurs without the need for a fixed relationship. With the possibility of the ease and practicality of being able to have a sexual relationship, attention should be paid to the vulnerability and risks that the social networks used for this purpose can place its users. Objective To understand how LGBT students deal with the use and risks involved in digital media. Methods This is a research with a qualitative approach, based on the Theory of Social Representations. University students who declared themselves as LGBT in the city of Belo Horizonte participated in the study. Data collection took place through open and in-depth interviews, with a semi-structured script. The data were interpreted based on the Structural Analysis of the Narration, proposed by Demazière; Dubar. Results Two theoretical categories were listed: Ease of contact with the use of social media - this category shows the ease that research participants have to show themselves, give opinions and demonstrate their interest in a person through digital media. Risks of using social media - Risks range from personal exposure, making an appointment with an unknown person, in addition to the risks related to sexually transmitted infections. Conclusions Users of digital media need to interpret the risks that are involved when accessing a social network and outline ways of taking care of themselves and others. Key messages Knowing ways that the LGBT community exposes itself in digital media can contribute to preventive actions and to promote the health of these people in a more effective way. With the ease of exchanging images and dating for casual sex, it is necessary to discuss new approaches to health, including by digital means.