This seems more demographic oriented. If this was a how to site for people new to the internet open in a new tab would make sense but because the users on this

This seems more demographic oriented. If this was a how to site for people new to the internet open in a new tab would make sense but because the users on this site are more likely to be power users the control + click is almost second nature. I guess going the other way of ctrl + click opening in same tab could work also. On mobile this seems to be a actual pain point because press and hold then open in a new tab is a hassle.