1. Digital Dating Abuse

2. What is Digital Dating Abuse?
Digital dating abuse is the use of texting and social networking to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often this behavior is a form of verbal or emotional abuse.

3. Digital Dating Video Clip

4. What are signs of Digital Dating Abuse?
-Looks through your phone frequently, checks your texts and pictures
-Tells you who you can and can’t talk to
-Sends you negative or threatening DM’s, Snap Chats, and/or texts
-Sends you inappropriate pictures and demands you send some in return
-Steals or insists to be given your passwords

5. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
Supportive of things I do
Encourages me to try new things
Understands I have my own life too
Tries to resolve conflicts by compromising
Respects my privacy
Listens to my opinions and feelings
Gives me space when I need it
Is not very liked by my friends
Gets extremely jealous or possessive
Accuses me of flirting or cheating
Constantly checks up on me
Blames me for problems
Makes me feel like no one else would want me
Threatens to hurt themselves because of me

6. Why do people abuse?
People abuse their partners because they believe they have the right to control other people
Abuse is a learned behavior.

7. Setting Boundaries- What do you feel comfortable with?
Is it ok to tag or check in?
Do we post our relationship status?
Is it ok to friend or follow my friends?
When is ok to text me and what is the expectation for when I return it
Is it ok to use each other’s devices?
Is it ok to post about our relationship?
Together you get to decide what feels healthy and what doesn’t work for each of you

8. Why do people stay in abusive relationships?
Fear
Believing abuse is normal
Embarrassment
Low self-esteem
Cultural/religious reasons
Social/peer pressure

9. Should we break up?
Being scared about feeling lonely after a break up is normal.
You will miss your partner a lot after you break up. Make a list to help you remember why you are breaking up.
It may take time to adjust to making your own decisions again if you have been controlled by your partner.
You may be fearful for your safety if you break up. In that case, make sure you tell friends and parents you are planning to break up with your partner and make a safety plan to do so. Break up over the phone or in public. Don’t try explaining your reasoning to your partner more than once. There is nothing you can say to make them happy.
It is unrealistic to fix an abusive relationship. Remember, you can only control your own behavior, not your partner’s

10. Tips for staying safe after the break up
-Talk with friends and family so they can support you
-Talk to a school counselor or teacher to adjust your schedule or find ways to keep you safe
-Don’t walk alone, wear headphones, or be in isolated areas
-Save any threatening or harassing messages your ex sends
-If you ever feel in danger call 911

11. What should I look for in a future partner?
-Doesn’t pressure you to do things you don’t want to do
-Respects your boundaries
-Doesn’t threaten you or make you feel scared
-Never puts you down
-Listens to your ideas
-Is comfortable around your family & friends

12. https://youtu.be/agDzWqt9TZU