Youth Engagement With Lgbtq-Themed Content on Social Media and the Perception of Queer Behavior

This study explores youth engagement with LGBTQ-themed content on social media and their perceptions of queer behavior, focusing on Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Using a quantitative survey design, simple random techniques was used to select 140 participants. The research reveals that although Nigerian youth are highly exposed to digital spaces, their interpretations of LGBTQ content are deeply mediated by cultural, religious, and societal norms. Findings indicate that 50.7% of respondents reported very frequent social media use, yet 47.6% strongly disagreed that such exposure fostered greater tolerance. Instead, 46.4% strongly agreed that they now ignore LGBTQ-related content, suggesting a trend toward desensitization rather than meaningful engagement. Perceptions of queer behavior remain strongly tied to local belief systems. A significant majority affirmed the role of religion and upbringing, with 48.5% strongly agreeing and 31.8% agreeing that religious beliefs shape their views, while 42.4% agreed and 29.5% strongly agreed that they were raised to see LGBTQ identities as morally wrong. Similarly, 34.6% strongly agreed and 29.3% agreed that LGBTQ portrayals contradict their cultural values, reflecting the enduring influence of Yoruba traditions. Educational attainment offered limited transformative potential: although 71.4% held tertiary education, nearly half (48.1%) strongly disagreed that education enhanced their acceptance of queer identities. Gender identity also revealed mixed influence, with responses divided on whether it shaped perceptions of LGBTQ content. The study demonstrates that while social media provides Nigerian youth with increased exposure to LGBTQ-themed narratives, cultural and religious frameworks largely determine how queer behavior is perceived. Engagement with such content tends to reinforce conservative attitudes rather than shift them, highlighting the limited capacity of global digital media to alter deeply rooted local worldviews.