Dating Abuse & Technology
What does technology have to do with dating abuse?
- Technology like computers and cell phones make it easier to abuse a partner because the abuse is hidden from everyone else--unless someone else reads the text message or listens in on the conversation, no one else would ever know.
- 1 in 4 teens in a relationship say they have been called names, harassed or put down by their partner through cell phones and texting.1
- 71% of teens regard boyfriends/girlfriends spreading rumors about them using cell phones or computers as a serious problem.2
- 68% of teens say boyfriends/girlfriends sharing private or embarrassing pictures/videos of them using computers or cell phones is a serious problem.3
Abusive partners can use technology in order to exert control over (and stalk) a dating partner, both during and after a relationship. They can:
- Keep track of a partner by forcing them to check in by cell phone, text or IM
- Check up on what a partner is doing by looking at Facebook or MySpace pages, or by checking IM away messages
- Harass, threaten, belittle, demean, intimidate or spread rumors about a partner using cell phones, texting, email or instant messenger
1-3 Liz Claiborne Inc. & Teen Research Unlimited. (2007). Technology & Teen Dating Abuse Survey. www.loveisnotabuse.com
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