Online spaces hold distinctive value for underrepresented adolescents for identity expression, supportive peer networks, and friendships¶
Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesisr2·q2
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person
Subclaims¶
Reading the evidence codes
q is the design tier, i the impact, n the sample, and the kind with its r
the rigour judged within that kind: what each code means.
This claim: no standardized effect is recorded in observations/ for it yet, so no benchmark reading is possible.
q2 i? Across the synthesis, underrepresented youth described online environments as creating transformational opportunities for identity expression, community, and resilience unavailable offline. → Gordon 2025
Evidence¶
Gordon 2025¶
Gordon, C. S., Brake, N., Hammond, S. P., Picton, I., Notley, T., Rowston, K., Gutierrez, A., Basarkod, G., Costello, K., Gupta, M., West, M., & Dicke, T. (2025). Adolescent flourishing in a digitally connected world: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. Preprint. https://osf.io/j48k5/?view_only=8b6423082746439abb4106526e953aaf
q2 · i? · quant-synthesis · r2
Meta-synthesis finding across the qualitative corpus: the review reports that "online experiences can create transformational opportunities for underrepresented youth". Supporting accounts include LGBTQI+ adolescents describing being able to come out without fear and a non-binary participant describing finding community they could not have in person.
"A recurring thread across the subthemes is the way online experiences can create transformational opportunities for underrepresented youth, who may otherwise feel marginalised in society."
Discussion¶
Related Claims¶
- A meta-synthesis of 90 qualitative studies across 26 countries identifies adolescents' positive online experiences with digital flourishing — a broader claim this one bears on
- Adolescents experience autonomy online through self-discovery, anonymity, and judgement-free self-expression — possibly the same claim (merge candidate)
- Online environments build adolescent competence through pride in achievements, social confidence, and creative confidence — related
- Online environments function as virtual youth centres and hubs for bonding and bridging social capital — related
- Identity-centered making supports simultaneous STEM engagement and identity affirmation for queer youth — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
- Schools and teachers unintentionally communicate identity messages to adolescents through the hidden curriculum — related
- Peer norms can deny access to identity positions and stigmatize positions adolescents would otherwise take up — related
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
claim |
id |
online-spaces-distinctive-value-underrepresented-adolescents |
title |
Online spaces hold distinctive value for underrepresented adolescents for identity expression, supportive peer networks, and friendships |
description |
Online spaces hold distinctive value for underrepresented adolescents for identity expression, supportive peer networks, and friendships |
status |
review |
evidence_strength |
moderate |
newest_evidence |
2025 |
generated |
by process:wiki-ingest on 2026-10-21 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — gordon-2025 |
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