753 - Adolescent Perspectives of Relationship Abuse on Social Media

Publication Number: 753.3901

Erin Mickievicz, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Jaime Sidani, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Maya I. Ragavan, University of Pittsburgh, Wexford, PA, United States; Ehryn Ortega, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States

Background: Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) is pervasive and has lifelong detrimental health impacts. Digital ARA, violence or coercion experienced via technology, is a dynamic and emerging phenomenon causing significant morbidity to adolescents and young adults. Experiencing digital abuse through social media (social media ARA) is an under-researched type of ARA, even though social media use among adolescents is rising rapidly.

Objective: This study explored adolescent dating dynamics through social media and experiences of digital ARA, exposure to dating and relationship violence from influencers, and avenues for digital ARA prevention.

Design/Methods: Participants were recruited through 2 local databases for potential research participants, one directly through an adolescent clinic. Eligible adolescents were 14-18 years, had started dating (defined broadly), and used social media at least once per week. Participants completed 1-hour, semi-structured interviews and a brief demographic and social media use survey. Interviews were transcribed, deidentified, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: 30 adolescents completed interviews: 47% were cisgender women (14), 23% cisgender men (7), and 30% gender diverse (9). Participants were 67% white non-Hispanic (20), 17% Hispanic/Latino (5), 13% black/African American (4), 13% Asian/Pacific Islander (4), 3% Middle Eastern (1), and 3% Indigenous (1). Typical dating related social media behavior included “appreciation posts”, matching profiles, and communication. Participants experienced digital ARA such as activity monitoring and control, emotional manipulation, stalking, grooming, and cheating on social media but were apprehensive to seek adult support in response. ARA related to location sharing occurred predominantly on Snapchat; ARA regarding following, posting, and messaging was most common on Instagram. Adolescents were aware that influencers demonstrate unrealistic expectations and unhealthy behaviors such as posting about fights or break-ups. Participants encouraged digital ARA education among teens through influencers and content creators.

Conclusion(s): The current study contributes to foundational work detailing digital ARA in a rapidly changing online climate; ARA is common on social media and includes a variety of coercive behaviors that may vary by platform. These results demonstrate the importance of social media focused ARA prevention materials and resources, ideally disseminated through sponsored content. Results also suggest including caregivers in digital ARA prevention to increase awareness and trust among teens and adults may be beneficial.

Table 1. Participant Demographics


Table 2. Participant Social Media Usage by Platform


Table 3. Themes and Representative Quotations