March is Dating Violence Awareness month; speaking out in our families, schools, and communities to younger generations is one way to break the cycle, and stop this behavior from becoming domestic violence later in life.   

In times of mobile devices it’s difficult for adults to unplug, let alone adolescents.  It’s so important that we teach our young people how to interact with each other in a healthy manner and not be a perpetrator of or susceptible to digital abuse.  So what is digital abuse?  This is when a dating partner uses abusive behaviors through technology.  A dating partner may use digital abuse to bully (put downs or belittling friends and family), stalk (tracking, sharing location, constantly following social media), intimidate (threatening, mood swings, or explosive temper toward the partner) or harass a partner (calling or texting constantly) in efforts to take power over and control them.  

Some examples of these might include: texting to blame someone for a perceived wrongdoing or to manipulate them in to doing what they want, or not allowing them to turn off their phone, getting angry if the partner does not respond in a certain time, reading their partner’s text messages, or demanding their passwords.  Non-consensual sexting is harassment as well.

What can you do to help a loved one experiencing dating violence?

1. Show your teen or share with a teen’s parent the behaviors that look like digital abuse.  Explore options for changing their behaviors and getting their needs met without controlling another person.  It’s likely they may need professional intervention.  Talk to your teen about recognizing that extreme jealousy does not equal love.
2. Ask your teen if they would ever share their social media or phone passwords.
3. Ask your teen what they would do if they had a friend whose partner constantly texted them.
4. Discuss ways your teen could set boundaries with their partner.

For more information check out: https://www.breakthecycle.org/