Those challenges have intensified with the rise of social media: Many teen social interactions now play out in public online spaces, adding feelings of shame and fear of judgment to the mix. In many cases, violence can happen when young people don’t yet have the skills to manage conflict, cope with feelings of jealousy, and navigate rejection. In the United States, up to 19% of teens experience sexual or physical dating violence, about half face stalking or harassment, and as many as 65% report being psychologically abused ( “Teen Dating Violence,” Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S.
When adolescents start to explore dating, romance, and sex, a troubling number fall victim to violence.