Sexting and Dating Violence: No LOL Matter

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

“Sexting” which has often been defined as the transmission of nude (or seminude) images via an electronic device (Chaflen, 2009) is rapidly becoming part of the dating process. Emerging studies suggest that that sexting is associated with a wide range of risky sexual risk behaviors (Dake, Price, Maziarz, & Ward, 2012; Temple et al., 2012). While previous studies suggest that there is a causal relationship between sexting and sexual risk-taking, remarkably few studies have investigated the link between sexting and physical violence in romantic relationships among teens and young adults (e.g., Tobin & Drouin, 2013) Accordingly, the current study explores the links between sexting and physical or dating violence within a sample of college-aged students. As a further step, this study will also evaluate the nature and prevalence of sexting while also controlling for demographic characteristics of age, sex and socioeconomic status.

Authors

• Charlene Harris, SUNY - Oswego

• Lisa Dunkley, University of Kentucky