Advice 11 year old son

[Salsa208]

Hi all,

So my 11 year old son has a phone and the agreement is that periodically I will go through it to check message, content he's looked at etc to ensure he's not accessing anything inappropriate and he's being respectful etc with messaging his friends.

I haven't looked for a while but did over the weekend and found some threads where him and a few friends are questioning their gender and sexuality. They share quizzes with each other and my son did one that said he's 100% gay, another that he's bi, another gender fluid etc. He made a comment after the 100% gay saying I need help, what's wrong with me. Other comments suggest he's torn between liking boys and girls.

As his mum I'm totally fine with him being whoever he is and being attracted to whomever he is attracted to. But I'm wondering do I raise this with him or leave it for him to come to me when he feels ready. I'm not sure if he's confused or if they're all just exploring different versions of themselves and sharing their views. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar? He knows I check his phone and do so in front of him so I not sure if he forgot these threads or left them so I can see them? Parenting is so hard. I'm wondering if I might be best to keep on reassuring him he's awesome and then when he's ready, let him come to me?

Thanks and apologies for the waffle :)

I probably wouldn’t mention them. There is nothing there to suggest there is any risk/any harm is there?

Im assuming if they were sharing the quizzes they are open to the possibility of different sexualities?

mid probably make an effort to ensure I was inclusive of all sexualities when talking around and with him. Eg
not assume he will have a girlfriend or talk about when he has a wife etc. maybe see if there are some resources he could access with better advice for children about sexuality- eg a book about sexuality aimed at that age or stuff for reputable organisations.
only thing I’d be concerned about is how helpful the information is that he is accessing.

I think I'd probably not raise it or ask him directly but give the opportunity to talk about it if he wants to. Whether that's talking about a character on the TV or in a book or trying to somehow subtly bring up the conversation of sexuality without being too obvious! I know that's hard but giving him the opportunity let's him decide but also let's him know you're open to talking