Children and Parents Learning About Transgender Topics Through TikTok

Abstract

This paper engages with the question of what childhood studies cares about, and how, in the context of children’s experiences with social media. Social media usage is on the rise among children, with 32% of children aged 7–9 using these apps. The study used a reparative versus affirmative framework based in queer theory to analyze 26 TikTok videos addressing transgender issues, with emphasis placed on analyzing the seven videos involving transgender or gender-exploring children. Emerging themes on the transgender experience, teachable moments, providing perspectives on gender, and perpetuating transphobic discourses are discussed with the aim of improving the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse children.

Keywords:

• TGE children,
• transgender representations,
• informal education,
• social media