Where are kids learning about gender and sexuality?

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I’m aware of a child who turned 13 just over a month ago who didn’t have Facebook / Reddit etc until 13, but are clearly involved in TRA stuff (using that language, trans and other sexuality flags etc)

It’s entirely possible they were reading but not engaging online previously but where would they gain access to this info otherwise? What upsets me most is the apparent support from their parents. Surely this is a safeguarding issue? 13 year olds talking sex and gender with god knows who online.

I don’t know why I’m posting, I’m just frustrated with it and want to protect this young person but I don’t think any message from me to the parent would be well received.

These poor kids.

I am always surprised at the age friends say their children have come out as LGBT. I was climbing trees and singing along to Top of the Pops at that age. God I feel old.

And this isn't to say people don't just "know" they are gay or straight when they are young because many do and many don't - however the experience we are having in this house and seeing in our various kids friend's groups raises red flags for me. Why would all these liberal mums suddenly start feeling nervous? It's too easy to accuse us of being right wing bigots than concerned mums.

Oh I agree with you. Its sad that kids are compartmentalising themselves at such a young age. I spent my whole middle to late teens learning who I was. Probably later that that. I can't see how labelling yourself when you don't even know yourself is helpful but I kind of understand all kids need their tribes. Just when I was young it was all about fashion / music / sport etc

I think Tumblr was the main feeder for the last generation of TRAs. Then they feed into discord servers and DeviantArt.
This generation I don't know, but it's easy to imagine any online area seeding these brain worms: from Minecraft to Fortnite.