ILYSM. #MCM. My bae. Netflix and chill. 

In a rapidly evolving world of social media, the status of a teen relationship is blasted through the screen of a smart phone or tablet. They know what this means, but do we? Cryptic conversation can be overwhelming for some, but for the thousands of teens engaging in Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter, and Facebook (although deemed "uncool" in the teen world), this is the norm. Taglines on Instagram can tell us a lot about who a teen dates, as detailed as the "official date", initials of their "bae", and a daily count of relationship status. But what do teen relationships truly look like? 

At Teen Health Connection, we are no strangers to teen dating. We work daily to promote healthy relationships by equipping young female and male adolescents with health education, refined decision making skills, and positive self-esteem. Despite our tireless efforts, each year 1 in 3 teen girls will experience physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from their partner. So where do we begin? February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. 

Of the thousands of teens engaged in relationships, did you know that each year, 1.5 million high school aged students experience physical abuse from their partner? Teen dating violence can include physical violence (hitting, slapping, or pushing), sexual abuse (unwanted sexual activity in any capacity), psychological manipulation, and emotional violence. Dating violence is not contained to just a physical space, but often occurs via social media or through text. Individuals in an unhealthy relationship are more likely to experience teen dating violence. Risk factors for these teens include: 

* A belief that unhealthy behaviors or types of violence are acceptable 

* Signs of depression, anxiety, or previous exposure to trauma in a relationship 

* Expression of aggressive behaviors or inability to control emotions 

* Engagement of early sexual activity 

* Use illegal substances 

* Witness or victim of violence at home or in personal life 

As adolescents develop, it is imperative that they have positive emotional experiences to aid in the formation of their identity. The negative short and long-term consequences to teen dating violence include an increased risk for depression and anxiety, an increased likelihood to engage in unhealthy behaviors (i.e., substance use, risky sexual behaviors), and psychosocial changes (changes in grades, loss of interest in typical activities). 

This February, our team encourages you to "check-in" with teens. Delineate that ILYSM is "I love you so much". #MCM is "Man Crush Monday" and that a "bae" is boyfriend or girlfriend. Have a conversation with your teen about healthy relationships and if you need additional resources - our team is here to help. 

National Institutes of Health (NIH, 2015) 

Break The Cycle, 2015