Teen romance usually digitally enhanced, says US
study
Technology plays a key role in teenage romance
from initial encounters to eventual break-ups, says a
US study.
Teenagers rarely meet online but do use technology for
flirting, asking out, meeting up and parting, American
think tank, the Pew Research Center, found.
A survey of 1,060 US teenagers aged 13 to 17 revealed
that technology brings them closer but also breeds
jealousy.
"Digital platforms are powerful tools for teens," said
Amanda Lenhart, lead author of the report from Pew.
"But even as teens enjoy greater closeness with
partners and a chance to display their relationships for
others to see, mobile and social media can also be tools
for jealousy, meddling and even troubling behaviour."
Digital romance, broken down
Of the 1,060 teenagers surveyed:
• 35% said they were currently dating and 59% of
that group said technology made them feel
closer to their partner
• For boys who were dating, 65% said social
media made them more connected to a
significant other while it was 52% for girls
• 27% of dating teenagers thought social media
made them feel jealous or insecure in
relationships
• 50% of all teens surveyed, dating or not, said
they had indicated interest by friending someone
on Facebook or other social media and 47%
expressed attraction by likes and comments
• Texting is king - 92% of teens who were dating
said they texted a partner, assuming the partner
would check in with "great regularity"
• Jealousy happens, but not as much as flirting
does - 11% of teenage daters reported
accessing a partner's online accounts and 16%
reported having a partner asking them to
de-friend someone
What gets discussed during all those frequent social
media enabled check-ins?
According to the survey, it is mostly "funny stuff"
followed by "things you're thinking about" as well as
other Information such as where they are and what their
friends have been doing.
And forget having to meet up to resolve a conflict - 48%
of dating teenagers said that could be done by texting or
talking online.
Online tools, with their accessibility and ease of use,
also showed some signs of giving this group relationship
anxiety.
Females are more likely to be subject to unwanted
flirting and 25% of teenagers surveyed said they have
blocked or unfriended someone because of
uncomfortable flirting.
And 15% of teenage daters said a partner had used the
internet to pressure them into unwanted sexual activity.
'More than emojis'
Nearly half the respondents admitted to concentrating on
their phone ahead of their partner when together with
43% of dating teens saying that had happened to them.
"I don't think this survey reveals much that is surprising.
But it is affirming. Humans are social animals and we
build tools to connect with each other, "wrote Julie Beck,
an associate editor at The Atlantic news site, of the
survey's findings.
"It's not all heart emojis all the time, no, but the tools that
facilitate relationships facilitate all aspects of them, good
and bad.
"Connecting with others is scary, hard, sometimes
dangerous, but usually, hopefully, good. The teens get
it."