Social Media When You’re Figuring Things Out

Social Media When You’re Figuring Things Out

Social media can be a place to find community, try out new language, discover people who understand, and feel less alone. But when you’re still figuring out your identity—or you’re out to some people but not others—being online can get complicated quickly.

Social Media When You’re Figuring Things Out is a practical, affirming guide written directly for LGBTQ+ young people navigating identity and online life. It helps teens think intentionally about what they share, who can see it, and how to stay connected without feeling pressured to make their identity public before they’re ready.

Inside the guide:

• Exploring your identity online without publicly coming out

• Names, pronouns, labels and profile bios

• Deciding what to post and what to keep private

• Tags, screenshots and friends sharing information

• Managing different accounts and audiences

• Finding healthy LGBTQ+ community online

• Online strangers and protecting personal information

• Dating, DMs, flirting and boundaries

• Handling hateful comments and harassment

• Navigating social media when family members follow you

• What to do if someone outs you online

• Recognizing when your feed is hurting instead of helping

• A printable privacy check

• Ready-to-use scripts for common online situations

The guide reinforces one central message: you can be figuring yourself out without figuring it out in public.

Part of the People & Belonging collection from Curiosity & Common Good.

Printable PDF • Instant digital download • LGBTQ+ affirming • Teen-friendly • Parent-to-child resource