Publication
Title
Exploring the role of social networking sites within adolescent romantic relationships and dating experiences
Author
Abstract
This study focuses on how adolescents perceive the ways in which romantic relationships are experienced and expressed through social networking sites. Eleven focus group conversations among 57 adolescents between 15 and 18 years old in Flanders, Belgium were analyzed. The findings demonstrate that social networking sites play an important role in relational information seeking. Pictures and status updates are regarded as the most important source of information about a potential romantic partner. In order to express romantic interest respondents indicated that they would like pictures and status updates from several years ago or that they would initiate a conversation through private messages. The respondents in our sample did not consider being Facebook Official as an important part of a romantic relationship. The adolescents recognized the potential of social networking sites to elicit jealousy and identified forms of controlling behavior such as sharing passwords or monitoring the partners' profiles. A romantic break-up often led to removing ex-partners from one's profile pages and adolescents most frequently observed the posting of emotional status updates by ex-partners as a result of the relationship dissolution. The discussion includes suggestions for future research and implications for practice.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Computers in human behavior. - Elmsford, N.Y., 1985, currens
Publication
Elmsford, N.Y. : 2016
ISSN
0747-5632 [print]
1873-7692 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.CHB.2015.08.042
Volume/pages
55 :A (2016) , p. 76-86
ISI
000367755400009
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Why do adolescents self-disclose online? A longitudinal study on adolescents' self-disclosure and protective behaviors in social network sites.
Getting closer? A longitudinal study assessing adolescents' self-disclosure and social capital formation in social network sites.
Cyber dating abuse among adolescents: Unraveling its social, relational and individual antecedents.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.09.2015
Last edited 09.10.2023
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