A teenage girl looks down at her phone while being cuffed in chains by a mysterious figure who represents her emotional abuser. The world of online dating has been a dark and dangerous place for young people who are not careful, but having the right information could help them navigate the internet safely. Illustration by Eleanor Robinson
Viewpoints Staffer Eleanor Robinson writes about the risk of online dating and how she herself fell victim.
Imagine climbing a mountain, each step heavier than the last, carrying the weight of a broken heart in the form of a boulder. All it takes is one misstep to fall into the depths of the online dating downfall. I had first heard about online dating when I was around 13 years old. At thetime, I didn’t realize that what I was getting into would affect me for years to come.
According to a study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28% of surveyed students nationally have been a victim of digital dating abuse. For many young people, it can be hard to see the signs because of how subtle this kind of abuse can be. It’s easy for someone to hide who they really are if they don’t have to risk showing themselves online, almost creating a new identity.
I wish I never experienced what I went through, but I grew from that situation and have more experience to help me in moving further through life.
In my relationship, I was emotionally abused to the point where I couldn’t go anywhere without my phone for too long or seem to have a single thought that was not of him. I talked my troubles through with people that could help me and finally, I gained the courage to unfriend and block this person.
Once I let go, I did it for good. This isn’t always as easy for others, though. For those in an abusive online relationship, there are educated voices on the matter that will better inform them on how to deal with the situation such as Betterhelp, Mental Health America and PsychToGo.
I wish I never experienced what I went through, but I grew from that situation and have more experience to help me in moving further through life.
Even though the negative effects of online dating can seem like an impossible climb to conquer, spreading the right information and listening with a kind ear to those who have been affected can do so much to help these victims.
