Gender Differences in Online Dating Abuse

Teen boys and girls experienced similar frequencies of digital dating abuse, but girls had increased odds of experiencing digital sexual coercion and expressing negative emotional responses, according to a study in the Journal of Adolescence. The study revealed that girls experienced more frequent digital sexual coercion and victimization, and that they were more upset by the communication and expressed more negative emotional responses to it. Both girls and boys, however, also reported they respond to direct aggression by blocking communication.

Reed, L. A., Tolman, R. M., & Ward, M. (2017). Gender matters: Experiences and consequences of digital dating abuse victimization in adolescent dating relationships.

Journal of Adolescence, 59, 79-89. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.05.015