TITLE:
The Impact of Contemporary Communication Technology on Undergraduate Students’ Dating Violence Episodes: An Exploration of Routine Activity Theory
AUTHORS:
Nancy Mayoyo, Jackton Ogeno, Francis Likoye
KEYWORDS:
Cyber Dating Abuse, Communication Technology, Routine Activities Theory
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.8 No.9,
September
17,
2020
ABSTRACT: The study was an empirical
exploration of the kinds of communication technologies used in perpetrating
different forms of Cyber Dating Abuse. The study was guided by Routine
activities theory which states that the daily activities that individuals
engage in make them susceptible to Cyber Dating Abuse. The study utilized data
collected from 315 dating undergraduate students from selected universities in
Nairobi City County, Kenya. The research design used in the study was a cross-sectional
descriptive survey. The results showed that respondents mainly used smartphones
to constantly exchange calls, text messages and instant messages on social
media. Instant messaging on WhatsApp was most frequently used to perpetrate
Cyber Dating Abuse. The findings indicate that the social interaction afforded
by the use of various digital media made it possible for motivated offenders to
encounter suitable victims (in this case their partners). An extended use of
digital media by the victims increased their visibility and accessibility to
the offender. A Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient r (313) = 0.20, p ≤ 0.001 established that
the amount of time spent online was statistically and significantly positively
associated with higher Cyber Dating Abuse victimization. Since digital media
keeps evolving with chances that the youth will keep using it, this implies
that Cyber Dating Abuse victimization is likely to persist. This calls for a need
for universities to have critical discussions on how Cyber Dating Abuse, can be
prevented to avoid its escalation which may lead to worse consequences on
students’ psychological health and academic outcomes.