Technology abuse is increasingly a regular pattern within teen dating abuse, which affects a large number of teens and young adults. As with any tactic of abuse, there are ways that tech abuse may look the same for any age group and there are ways that it can differ significantly. As more light is shed on this issue, we are able to better understand the impact tech abuse has on this population. For any parent, guardian, or professional working with a teen or young adult, it’s important to understand how technology can impact their privacy and safety, as well as how it can be empowering and helpful.

Positive Use of Tech

Technology is a powerful tool that can be used by teens in positive ways. It offers teens a level of flexibility online where they can explore and create different versions of themselves to suit their mood. It allows them to connect on various platforms with allies, receive support services, and obtain an education. In a survey by the Pew Research Center, “40% of respondents said that social media has had a positive impact because it helps them keep in touch and interact with others.”[1]  Some online communities provide teens a comfortable space to connect with others sharing the same identity or interests and figure out who they are without fear of anyone judging them. Having these connections can boost self-esteem through validation, feedback, and acceptance. These online spaces can also decrease isolation, fear, and stigma and increase a teen’s self-worth.

Through social media, teens express themselves, play games, create challenges, raise awareness, and organize around the issues and injustices that affect them and their future. “The Internet also can be helpful to young people who are looking for information about health and sexuality, yet don’t feel like they can ask about these issues at home or in their schools.”[2] Websites that answer questions about sex, STDs, and even puberty give reassurance to youth. They can also create petitions, do research, and educate themselves and others on topics that impact them. During times of crisis, technology has been one of the most important tools to keep youth connected to their peers and school community. Because of this, suggesting that teens disconnect from technology if they are experiencing tech abuse can just further isolate and remove them from their greater community.

Impact of Technology Misuse

Misusing technology to perpetrate harassment, stalking, or reputation damage are unfortunately common tactics of abusive people within the context of teen dating relationships. In a 2013 study, “nearly half of all young people ages 14-24 reported being electronically harassed in some form and 40% of teens reported incidences of digital dating abuse.”[3]  What is important to note is tactics of abuse such as harassment, stalking, impersonation, and the distribution of intimate images without consent are the same across age groups and are rooted in patterns of power and control.

In the context of abuse broadly, whether teen dating abuse, intimate partner violence, or elder abuse, technology can be misused to stalk, send harassing messages, harm reputations, isolate, or coerce another person into sexual acts or for intimate images. Tech abuse also overlaps with other forms of abuse, such as financial or sexual harassment. An Urban Institute study found that cyber dating abuse had the greatest degree of overlap with psychological dating abuse, with nearly all cyber dating abuse victims also reporting psychological dating abuse, while only half reported physical dating lead to depression, anxiety, failing classes, drug use, and suicidal thoughts. Survivors may also avoid going online because they may fear further abuse from the abuser or bullying from their peers. As advocates or other supporting teen or young adult survivors, it’s important to support them as they navigate these challenges, helping to find ways to address the abuse while also increasing safety and privacy online so they can feel empowered.

Working with Youth: “You’ve Got This!”

Service providers may feel uneasy when engaging with teens impacted by tech misuse if they are unfamiliar with the tech themselves. However, regardless of the tech involved, much of the advocacy and support will be the same. It’s normal to feel you may need more information or a specific approach if you’re not regularly participating in the culture or norms of a certain population. By focusing on building connections, establishing trust, and remaining survivor-centered, we can empower teens to make informed decisions around tech use.

 Here are Some Tips to Get you Started:

1. Listen. You don’t need to know the details of every type of tech teens are using to recognize patterns of abuse, stalking, and harassment.

2. Be prepared to ask basic questions to help identify the risk of the technology. What is popular to teens one day may be outdated the next. Technology use among teens can also vary between geographic locations. Downloading an app or researching a platform that teens are telling you about can help you understand the options for safety, security, and privacy. Many apps and online spaces have similar processes, community standards, and terms of service. Another option is to watch a tutorial video of how the app or online space functions or have the teens provide you with a tutorial. Engage them as experts.

3. When youth impacted by tech abuse are seeking support, ask:

• What is happening?

• Where/when is it happening? (a specific time, location, platform)

• What does the person seem to know (what is the context)?

• What does the teen want to see happen? Sometimes it’s escalation of abuse, sometimes it’s reputation management (help them explore options that could keep them safe)

• How have they been keeping themselves safe?

4. Remember: Although technology can be misused as a tactic in teen dating abuse, technology can also be used strategically. Empowering teens to take control over their tech use will better help them understand how it can be used as a tool to support them, and they can create safe spaces free from abuse. Teens often have a lot more insight and skills to navigate technology, online spaces, and abusive people than they are given credit for. Let them inform you on what they believe they need.

[1] Monica Anderson & Jingjing Jiang, “Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018,” Pew Research Center, May 2018, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/

[2] Amina Sharma, “Benefits of Teens Using Technology”, Center for Innovative Public Health Research, date accessed: March 1, 2021, https://innovativepublichealth.org/blog/benefits-of-technology

[3] Trevor Thompson, Jennifer Benz, and Jennifer Agiesta, “The Digital Abuse Study: Experiences of Teens and Young Adults”, AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, October 2013, https://apnorc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AP-NORC-Center-and-MTV_Digital-Abuse-Study_FINAL.pdf