‘Internet and phones used to harass teens’
MUMBAI: A survey conducted by students of Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science found that the internet and mobile phones are being used to stalk, harass and abuse teens in relationships. However, few report this behaviour, despite knowing it’s unacceptable.
Five third-year students of Human Development of the college conducted a study on dating and abuse, with 100 people between the ages of 16 to 21 years. The sample was randomly selected on the basis of their age and the study continued for 10 weeks.
The survey, which was courserelated, was conducted under the guidance of Professor Dr Kamini Rege of Nirmala Niketan College.
From the responses of their 100 participants, the students identified various forms of abuse, such as sending threatening messages or images (62%), taking and sending videos without the subject’s permission (45%), and using social networking without the partner’s permission (51%).
“It’s mental and emotional torture for the person in the relation- ship and these interviewees need to identify the signs early,” said Avani Mehta, who conducted the survey with Moksha Shah, Jamila Sabuwala, Jayni Patel and Shikha Shah.
The survey found 60% of respondents were fearful of disclosing abuse to adults and almost 80% said they would rather confide in a friend, rather family.
Over 60% of the interviewees felt that being abused left a victim feeling worthless.
“This research not only brings to light the fact that abusive relationships exist among teenagers, but also that parents are unaware of this issue and not available to tell their children what’s right from wrong,” said Moksha Shah.
“Since dating abuse and violence generally occurs between the ages of 14-20, a response found out by students through other researches, intervention resources should be concentrated in high schools rather than in middle schools. However, early intervention programs will be beneficial at the middle school level, ensuring these students establish an early knowledge base, allowing them to form healthy dating relationships,” said Rege.