New  Media’s  Influence  on  Teen  Dating  

Intimacy

Frequently  Used  Digital    Communication  

“Controlled Casualness” - When a teen is interested in a potential partner, this digital

world allows for more ambiguous communication. - Instead of being directly “flirty”, using Facebook or text

messages allows the sender to stop and think about the exact wording.

Cour=ship  &  Flir=ing

Many teens have reported to sending messages that come across a nonchalant yet with an edge of flirtation. This way they can gauge the interest of the

other by their response.

Cour=ship  &  Flir=ing

The Beginning Stages of Dating Include a lot of Updating

“Going  Out”  

Updating Relationship Status

“Going  Out”

Profile pictures on social media sites must now include a “couples” photo. This sends the signal to the rest of the world

that you are spoken for.

The New Rules of Mobile Communication

Within a Teen Relationship

“Going  Out”

Immediate Responses are Expected in the Mobile World

This new way of dating has also set new standards for communication expectations.

The immediacy of return texts and messages has become almost

impossible to live up to. People forget that just because the technology is at their fingertips, their lives still have their

attentions directed elsewhere.

Work, school, driving, eating and face-to-face conversations with others are usually not taken into consideration when a message

has not been returned in a specific amount of time.

“Going  Out”

Breaking  Up  

All status updates, comments and photos must now go through a “clean up” phase. All must be removed and social media profiles returned to pre-relationship format.

This process is similar to that of removing physical photos of the couple from walls and wallets, erasing names on notebooks and drawings hidden in dresser drawers.

Many of the new media and technology has taken the place of previous “face-to-face” interactions. Some argue that this is too impersonal for a relationship to be built upon, others believe the

opposite to be true.

Either way, this is the new wave of dating rituals. As technology increases, the rituals will change. And teens are usually the first

group to adapt and flourish under such transitions.

This new intimacy study has now grown to include people of all ages, with the use of dating websites and the expansive use of mobile phones. What these teenagers started as a means of convenience, the rest of us have followed to

create a new norm.

Conclusion