According to Offenhauer and Buchalter of the Federal Research Division Library of Congress, research is growing around the use of technology as a facilitator of abusive behaviors. In a 2007 study by Liz Claiborne Inc., which looked at technology and teen dating violence, a large number of teens reported experiencing “partner-monitoring” (Picard, 2007). Results from this study found that 36% reported that their partner checked up on them 10-30 times per day via cell phone and 30% reported that their partner checked up on them 10-30 times per hour via email (Picard, 2007). Technology keeps teens captive in some ways because their partner is always able to reach them. Concerns also emerge around the use of “sexting” messages or photos as another facilitator of abusive actions. The organization Break the Cycle, in their brief regarding technology and teen dating violence, states that in some ways technology perpetuates teen dating violence: “high tech abuse is hidden” (Break the Cycle, 2008).
Technology is a part of all teens’ lives especially texting and social media platforms such as Facebook, and although it is a vehicle for abuse it is also not the cause of the abuse. Therefore, rather than taking technology away from our teens we must work to educate our teens to safely and respectfully use technology (Break the Cycle, 2008).
References
Break the Cycle (2008). Technology and teen dating violence. Issue Brief 4. Retrieved from http://www.breakthecycle.org/dating-violence-research/technology-teen-dating-abuse-survey
Offenhauer, P. & Buchalter, A. (2011). Teen dating violence: A literature review and annotated bibliography. Federal Research Division Library of Congress. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/235368.pdf
Picard, P. (2007). Tech abuse in teen relationship study. Liz Claiborne Inc. Retrieved from http://www.loveisrespect.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/liz-claiborne-2007-tech-relationship-abuse.pdf
Technology is a part of all teens’ lives especially texting and social media platforms such as Facebook, and although it is a vehicle for abuse it is also not the cause of the abuse. Therefore, rather than taking technology away from our teens we must work to educate our teens to safely and respectfully use technology (Break the Cycle, 2008).
References
Break the Cycle (2008). Technology and teen dating violence. Issue Brief 4. Retrieved from http://www.breakthecycle.org/dating-violence-research/technology-teen-dating-abuse-survey
Offenhauer, P. & Buchalter, A. (2011). Teen dating violence: A literature review and annotated bibliography. Federal Research Division Library of Congress. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/235368.pdf
Picard, P. (2007). Tech abuse in teen relationship study. Liz Claiborne Inc. Retrieved from http://www.loveisrespect.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/liz-claiborne-2007-tech-relationship-abuse.pdf