Exploring Gender Differences: Socially Interactive Technology Use/Abuse among Dating Teens

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work

Publication Date

2-1-2014

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Volume

29

Issue

4

First Page

478

Last Page

491

Abstract

This qualitative study explored gender differences in socially interactive technology (SIT) use/abuse among dating teens from Michigan (N = 23). Focus group transcripts were coded using three categories: (1) type of SIT (e.g., social networking); (2) abusive action (e.g., monitoring); and (3) consequence (e.g., jealousy). Texting and social networking were the most commonly used types of SIT. Spying/monitoring, sexting, and password sharing/account access were the most common abusive actions. Distrust and jealousy were the most frequent consequences. Young men and women differed in their conceptualization of SIT abuse. Most participants agreed that some abusive actions were typical parts of adolescent dating experiences.

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