Teens and Digital Platforms

Teens, Technology and Romantic Relationships. (2015, October 1). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/01/teens-technology-and-romantic-relationships/ 

Teens spend lots of time online which is not a big surprise. This we know just from being around teenagers. I know my teenagers flipped off if they are out of data one day before the reset. I find it quite comical most months. I tell them read a book. I just get blank stares or the "are you kidding me look."

In my memories, when I was a teenager I wanted to spend actual time with my romantic partner aka boyfriend. Today teens use technology to check in (Teens, 2015). Just another way teens are trying to build relationships online. Instead of meeting at the skating rink, teens are meeting online. This does not mean they are finding partners online. However, they are flirting (Teens, 2015). They are just communicating. I am always amazed at parents and comments about social skills. The Internet and technology has aided in the lack of need of social skills. We all talk through technology and the trend is not changing.


Teens indicate over 55% of them have flirted digitally (Teens, 2015). Please keep in mind various levels of flirting exist in the minds of teenagers (Teens, 2015). This flirting can be as simple as a friend request to letting them know they are interested (Teens, 2015). Of course we all know this is where it starts and can lead to more serious type behaviors. On the flip side 25% of teens have unfriended or blocked someone due to unwarranted flirting (Teens, 2015).

Social media allows users to see what others are doing on a day to day basis. Social media allows the partners to closely monitor day to day activities which provides a sense of closeness (Teens, 2015). This also can inspire a sense of jealousy (Teens, 2015). More boys state they are connected via social media than girls (Teens, 2015). Girls use social media to support and approve the relationship of others (Teens, 2015). Girls competing with girls is nothing new. Many have said women do not dress up for themselves but to make other women jealous.


Constant contact via text is okay; however, breaking up requires more face to face attention. I think young and old can agree on that. Does this constant digital attention cause partners to be abusive? Look at these numbers...





Teens, technology and relationships. They all intertwine. I think this is scary for most parents as this is uncharted territory for many. For teens, social media is the key to this combination (Teens, 2015).



Social media is how teens connect. They connect with all  types of relationships even romantic ones. While it provides a sense of closeness,online can also encourage abusiveness. The advantage of online is parents can monitor their teens if they know the account name. Just like with any generation, parents have to be connected and involved.


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