Please note that this page is an archive of a news or events page and may be out-of-date. Please visit the news and events page for more current information.

This was the finding of research launched today by The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University.

The study looked at the use of the internet by more than 200 same sex attracted young people (SSAY) from around Australia, aged 14 years to 21 years old.

The report, It's just easier: the internet as a safety net for same sex attracted young people, [was] launched on 3 December at 4 pm by a SSA young man who will speak about his experiences on the net.

The research was conducted on line with researchers going into chat rooms to publicise the study and engage the interest of young people who used the net.

Young people were asked about their reasons for using the internet, its importance in their lives, the differences between "coming out" (telling people about their sexuality) on the net and in real life, and the relative safety of the net compared to their present situations in real life.

It was clear that the vast majority of these young people used the internet as a critical source of support and affirmation, particularly in the "coming out" process.

They also responded to the dearth of information from schools and families on sexual health and relationships for gay and lesbian young people by visiting pornographic sites for information.

Eighty-five percent of young people in the study reported that the net played a significant role in putting them in touch with others like themselves and 70% felt it played a vital role in reducing their isolation.

They used the net to meet others in their situation through chat rooms and email and frequently took the opportunity for facilitating real life contact and friendship with other SSAY people.

Young people had come out to more people on the net than in real life, often finding it a more supportive environment for their sexuality than their friends and family.

"It is clear from this research that we need to think of the internet as an important resource for marginalised young people rather than thinking of it as just a source of potential danger," said researcher Dr Lynne Hillier.

"Whatever safety concerns we might have about their internet use need to be seen in the context of our previous research which shows that the real world is a very unsafe and inhospitable place for these young people."

"Rather than the common perception that young people can become lost in, or addicted to, the cyber world, the young people in the study people saw the internet as vital to their health and well-being."