Martin Lewis

Biography

My PhD research is investigating how ‘closeted’ lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning teenagers are using the internet in a covert manner (i.e. without the knowledge of parents/guardians/authority figures) to access peer networking and support-based communities, as well as exploring their perceptions and experiences of online grooming. Furthermore, my research will be examining child internet safety guidelines, to investigate whether current online safeguarding approaches adequately protect ‘closeted’ teenagers and are inclusive of their specific privacy needs, or whether they inadvertently act as a disempowering barrier which prevents them from disclosing and reporting online-initiated sexual abuse.

Research Interest

Investigating how ‘closeted’ lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning teenagers are using the internet in a covert manner (i.e. without the knowledge of parents/guardians/authority figures) to access peer networking and support-based communities, as well as exploring their perceptions and experiences of online grooming.