Calls for offline support for LGBT+ teens in regional areas

ABC NEWS (Australia)

There's growing concern Australia's upcoming social media ban will have a significant impact on LGBT+ youth in regional and remote areas of Australia. Advocates say there aren't enough offline, in-person services to provide them with crucial support and teenagers are concerned about what the ban could mean for them.

Transcript

00:00Abby Jane was just 12 years old when she first experienced homophobic bullying in Broken Hill.

00:07I was standing with my principal and I started to raise the pride flag.

00:12And this group of year 10 boys came up and started swearing and hurling homophobic abuse at me.

00:18And I remember being so terrified.

00:22From there the bullying at school only got worse, but social media became her safe haven.

00:28Without social media, I wouldn't have been able to create that thing that basically saved my life.

00:34Abby is scared of what might happen to people like her come December once the ban kicks in.

00:39And it's not just teenagers that are worried.

00:42We know that online spaces have provided a really vital place for young people to explore themselves, find themselves, find their community.

00:51And what we're hearing from young people is that if we're taking that away, then what are we giving back?

00:57And the most devastating consequence for a young person is that they feel completely alone.

01:03And that's the challenge ahead of us.

01:05Sixteen-year-old Ace lives in Essays Riverland.

01:08They say a local community arts group made a big difference for them.

01:12I was able to find it a lot easier because I was able to not fear being outed or like not accepted because I know it's a safe space.

01:25Advocates want to see increased investment to support programs and offline services to fill the gap.

01:31The federal government says it's working with stakeholders and has already committed $1.1 billion to mental health and wellbeing.

01:38We know a lot of, you know, the queer youth drop-ins in particular are underfunded and volunteer run.

01:45Searching for a balance between safety and support that advocates say hasn't been struck.

01:50There it was the absolute war.

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