Beautiful moments and exciting activities should be a part of a dating experience. However, what if this partnership becomes frightening due to abuse and violence?

What is digital dating abuse?

There's no denying that a lot of people in today's world endure partner jealousy, manipulation, humiliation, and even intimidation. Many adults and teenagers have suffered from this kind of abuse or dating abuse. Many times, victims are unaware that relationship violence encompasses more than just physical abuse. Verbal abuse in relationships can occur through in-person interactions or the use of digital technology. Digital dating abuse is another term for this assault.

Technology is rapidly turning into a two-edged tool for abusive partners in the digital era. The Office on Women's Health asserts that there is a strong connection between digital abuse—violence conducted via social media or text messaging—and relationship violence.

According to Verywellmind, abusive digital dating happens when a partner uses intimidating technology, harassing or threatening via text messages, phone calls, social media, tracking apps, or other platforms. According to a nationwide poll involving 2,218 students, 28% of students—both male and female—have experienced abuse related to internet dating. Regretfully, individuals are more likely to be the target of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse when they take too long to reply to texts.

Read more: Arguments And Verbal Abuse Is Different, Recognize The Differences

Indicators that your partner is engaging in harmful digital dating behavior

People can use their phones in many ways to exploit their partners. Teenagers are typically the ones who experience this form of exploitation and cyberbullying, which also takes place online. Perpetrators can break into and obtain unlawful access to their partner's email or social media accounts, according to the Cyberbullying Research Center. To intimidate, blackmail, or coerce their partner into doing something against their will, they also spy on them.

According to Verywellmind and the Office on Women's Health, the following are some signs of abuse in digital dating:

• Your partner sends copious amounts of text messages at all hours of the day, even when you are at school, work, or sleeping. When messages are not responded to immediately, he gets angry
• Expects you to be available all day every time he texts or calls. The lack of response will make him threaten to hurt you 
• Sends negative text messages such as insulting, intimidating, or threatening you
• Checking your social media for your whereabouts
• Downloading GPS tracking apps or forcing you to share your location
• Downloading apps that can spy on your activities either on your phone, tablet, or computer without your knowledge
• Banning and managing your friendships on social media
• Creating fake accounts on social media to spy on you
• Hacking your account, impersonating you online, and posting things that could cause you trouble
• Posting negative things that aim to embarrass you
• Forcing you to divulge your social media account passwords
• Checking and reading all your messages and the contents of your devices
• Reading your personal emails and social media messages without your consent
• Sending you unwanted explicit photos or videos
• Forcing you to send sexual photos or videos and using them to threaten you

Read more: Beware Of Early Signs Of Domestic Violence

In a healthy relationship, both partners should respect one other's personal space and refrain from crossing it. If you need medical advice, don't hesitate to consult with a doctor or utilize the consultation features provided by Ai Care.

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