Young love is totally digital these days

Digital technology is involved in just about everything teens do these days, so it’s no surprise that’s also the case when it comes to their love lives.

A new report from Pew Research Center explores just how much the likes of social media and mobile phones work their way into the romantic relationships of teens age 13-17.

That group isn’t likely to meet romantic partners online, but the web does play a major role in how they flirt with each other and communicate with potential and current boyfriends/girlfriends.

Here are some of the most interesting findings from Pew:

• Thirty-five percent of teens say they’ve been in a romantic relationship, but just 8 percent have met a romantic partner online.
• Another 26 percent say they have not met a partner online, while 1 percent declined to say how they met.
• Music playlists are the new mix tape. Eleven percent of teens say they’ve made a music playlist for a potential partner.
• Forty-seven percent of teens have shown their attraction by liking, commenting or generally interacting with a love interest via social media.
• The web plays a big role, but there’s still something to be said for offline flirting; 55 percent of teens say they’ve talked to someone in person to let them know they’re interested.
• Eighty-five percent of teen daters expect to hear from their partner at least once a day, although some are bit more needy-11 percent expect to hear from their partner hourly.

For more insights from Pew on teen dating in the digital landscape, click here.

Tags: new media, pew, relationships social media, research, social media, teens, teens social media